Doris J. Serpa

Doris J Serpa

April 8, 2024

San Luis Obispo, California - Doris Spillers Serpa peacefully passed away on April 8, 2024, at the age of 94 in San Luis Obispo. She was the daughter of Harold and Ann Spillers and was born and raised in San Luis Obispo. It was in high school at San Luis Obispo Senior High where she built many lifelong friendships and met the love of her life, Frank Serpa.

Avila Beach was overwhelmingly her favorite hang-out place in the 40s, and the gang there remained connected their whole life; still partying there together well into their 80s.

She attended Munson's Business School for Secretaries in San Francisco which provided her skills she used her whole life, including meticulous T-accounts kept in a black book, typing which she taught to officers when she lived in Japan, shorthand that enabled her to keep gift ideas secret from the family, and office skills that let her absorb computers as they became integrated into jobs at schools in Cupertino, Los Altos, Anaheim, and San Clemente.

Her life journey carried her and her high school sweetheart and husband, Frank, to Japan (where she and Frank were married and lived for two years), the Bay Area (where they raised a family), San Juan Capistrano, and back to SLO again for retirement. Everywhere she went became a happy party with new friends gathered all along the way. Her spirit expanded and intertwined new connections forever.

A trip planner before the ease of travel planning we enjoy today, she mapped out many family adventures; camping in Lake Tahoe, road trips to Lake Louise, the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, as well as trips to New York and Hawaii. She opened up the world to the family, a world the family continues to explore.

Her retirement life in SLO was blessed with the joy of her daughter and her family living across the street, in the Japanese tradition of "living close enough so that the soup does not get cold when carried between homes." She spent these retirement years traveling across the US and overseas, playing golf, hosting incredible dinner parties and actively working with Frank and the American Legion on high school scholarships and Girls' and Boys' State selections, where she continued her love of working with teenagers.

After the passing of her husband Frank at 83, she reconnected with still another of the original SLO childhood gang, Red Cramer, and they enjoyed years of love and companionship together.

Doris is survived by son Mark Serpa (Susan) and daughter Gail Becker (Chris). She also leaves her grandchildren: Kristi (Jeremy), Jamie (Lalo), Scott, Patricia and her four great-grandchildren who kept her playful until the very end: Jayden, Hudson, Oliver, and Audrey.

Doris will be greatly missed by her family and everyone who was touched with her love. There will be no services or memorials at her request. In honor of her memory, please visit the beach, laugh hard with friends, and/or enjoy a good dinner party.