Doris B. Dolan

Doris B. Dolan
HARLINGEN, TX.-
Doris B. Dolan, 90, passed away Sunday, January 1, 2012 at her residence in Harlingen. She was born on February 24, 1921 in Portland, OR to Andrew and Teresa Burnside. She resided in California for many years before retiring to the Valley in 1989.
In her younger years Doris was a piano teacher, model, and stewardess. Later she served more than 40 years in leadership capacities in philanthropic, health, civic state and national organizations. Her volunteer work focused on judicial reform and helping victims of violent crime.
Doris helped found Laws at Work in 1966. The organization was recognized as the pioneer citizen organization that established a network of communication and working cooperation with all criminal justice agencies of government, educational and research specialists in the process of identifying imbalances in treatment of crime victims. In 1970 she also founded the National Education Institute, which prepared educational films and written materials for use in elementary and junior high schools nationwide thru Walt Disney Educational Media Co.
Doris also was founder-member of the Southern California Chapter of the National Arthritis Foundation. She developed procedures for national press coverage for the National Assistance League. Her memberships in Los Angeles organizations included: Ebell of Los Angeles, cultural; Assistance League of Southern California, philanthropic, Chamber of Commerce and Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. She was the first woman elected to the board of governors of the medical center.
Doris' appointments have included: President Rea-gan's Task Force on Victims of Crime; California Arson Task Force; General Federation of Women's Clubs; and the National Council on Criminal Justice, Washington, DC.
She served the Valley in many capacities: Member of the Immigration and Naturalization Service Advisory Council; Research consultant to Cameron Co. Advisory Committee on Border Law Enforcement and Immigration Problems. Doris was a member of the Capt. Thomas Jefferson Chapter, Colonial Dames; and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Harlingen.
Doris is survived by son, Kent Monroe Dolan of Haymarket, VA; daughter, Donna Dolan Earles of The Woodlands, TX; granddaughter, Alexandra Leemhorst Dolan, grandson, Matthew Monroe Dolan, grandson, Austin Christopher Swift and granddaughter, Dana Rae Swift.
A celebration of Doris' life will be held at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home, 10:00 AM., Thursday, January 5, 2012 with the Rev. David Mann officiating.
The family request that in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, PO Box 96280, Washington, DC 20077.
You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.buckashcraft.com
Arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Sign the guestbook at: http://legacy.com/valleystar/obituaries.asp.