Doris Loraine McKim Nachtsheim

1930 - 2020

Doris Loraine McKim Nachtsheim

Doris Loraine McKim Nachtsheim died at home December 11, 2020, at age 90. She passed away peacefully with family at her bedside, after a recent rapid decline in her health.

Doris was born to Ted and Anna McKim on July 2, 1930, in Oakland, California. She had a wonderful childhood surrounded by her multigenerational family. She often talked of the many adventures she had with her brother Johnnie and cousin Donald growing up in Piedmont, California, in the 1930s and 40s. She graduated from Piedmont High School in 1948 and College of the Pacific in 1952. After traveling through Europe with her friend Aida, she began her long career as an elementary school teacher in Oakland, California. She met her future husband Bill in 1952 and they were married in 1953. They welcomed their first daughter in 1956 and their second in 1957. They lived first in San Francisco, then in and around Cazadero, California, where Doris taught in a two room schoolhouse. After returning to Piedmont to complete Bill's education, they welcomed twin boys in 1962. The family moved to Reno in 1967 and Doris began teaching at Stead Elementary School that fall, where she would stay for her 25 year career with the Washoe County School District. She was passionate about opening the world of reading to children who had previously struggled, and remained in contact with some of her students and their families until her death.

The 1960s and 70s were spent getting her five kids (one of whom she was married to) through various adventures. As both Doris and Bill were teachers, summers were spent camping, sailing and shepherding kids to swim meets, while snow skiing dominated the family's winters. During this time, her home became a place where tolerance and acceptance were practiced every day, and that home became a place where many young people felt safe and able to express themselves. Her home became known as Willie's Wayside Inn, and it was not unusual for the residents of the "inn" to wake up to people sleeping in the living room as a respite in their travels or simply after a long night of discussion.

It was also during this time that she met fellow teacher Inge Stone, whose husband Gregory founded the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra in 1969. Doris became a dedicated supporter of the symphony, taking tickets, helping to set up and dismantle the staging, cooking for fundraisers and transporting visiting artists to various events. She served for many years on the Board of Directors, and continued to attend performances as a season ticket holder until that activity was paused by the pandemic. While teaching at Stead she also began her long membership in Delta Kappa Gamma, an Honorary Teaching Organization focused on impacting education locally, nationally and internationally. She was a long time office holder and dedicated member of that organization. As Bill became interested in the political issues facing teachers, so did Doris, becoming active in the Washoe County Teachers Association and eventually serving as an officer in various organizations including the Retired Public Employees of Nevada.

After Bill passed away in 1988, Doris traveled the world, most often with her beloved traveling companion, her sister Janet. She bicycled through Europe on multiple occasions, rode riverboats in Russia, and spent weeks in China. Her last bike trip, through New England in autumn with her sister and both daughters, was completed in her eighties. She remained the cornerstone of her family with every grandchild, and even some great grandchildren, knowing they would have a quiet supporter at performances and sporting events. No family gathering was complete without her. She continued to ensure that her family treated each other with love and respect, a lesson that she taught by example.

Over the last two decades of her life, Doris remained active in her roles in various organizations and rediscovered her love for the First United Methodist Church of Reno, whose message of inclusiveness aligned with her beliefs. She served on various committees and councils, supporting and being supported by the congregation in the church she loved. As she slowed down and her social activities declined over the last six months of her life, she continued to look forward to attending church activities virtually which, in her typical fashion, she enjoyed quite a bit, finding joy in the fact that she was able to hear the services better and discover members she had not previously known.

She lived a wonderful, purposeful and loved life, and will be remembered fondly by all who knew her. She is survived by her sister Janet Gervolstad, brother John and Margie McKim; her children Mary Anne and Don Means, Janet and Pat Conway, Dick and Christi Nachtsheim, Bob and Barbara Nachtsheim; her grandchildren and great-children Perry and Jen Means (Madi and Zoey), Casey and Mary Means (Hendrix), Jack and Jen Means (Harper and Huntleigh), Jake and Alison Conway (Calvin), Ben and Melanie Conway (Brooks), Blake Nachtsheim and Rachel Nachtsheim, and Anna Nachtsheim and Eric Nachtsheim; and many nieces and nephews and their families.

A memorial service will be planned at a later date.