Doris Ann Craig: Aug. 18, 1933-Jan. 11, 2017

Doris Ann was a cherished wife, treasured mother, much loved grandmother and friend of many. She was born to Adam and Ada Miller on Aug. 18, 1933, in Chelan, Wash. She graduated from Chelan High School in 1951.

Being the youngest of four children, she was playfully teased by brothers Royce and Dan — 12 and 10 years her senior — who nicknamed her “Shorty.” Sister Ruth Lindert, though eight years older, was also her lifelong friend and confidant.

In 1942, when Doris was 9 years old, she made her choice to serve God. She was baptized during the summer of 1945. She never regretted her choice to live according to Jesus’ teachings and was faithful to her choice the remainder of her life, thankfully being guided through life by her Heavenly Father.

During her growing up years, Doris enjoyed spending weekends at the family cabin at the head of Lake Chelan with family, friends and ministers when they could visit. Her young years were filled with concern while her brothers both served in the military during WWII. She worked in the family orchard picking apples and helping her mother can fruit. Her cousins Sarah Lou and Marilyn were her best friends growing up as they were the same age and lived close by.

After graduation, Doris moved to Wenatchee and attended a business college for a short period, then worked as a long-distance telephone operator. Following a brief illness, she moved to Edmonds, Wash., to live with her brother Dan and wife Lucille to help take care of her sweet nieces. She then moved on to live on Queen Ann in Seattle, working as a secretary. A move to Phoenix, Ariz., resulted in making more life-long friends and the health benefits of hot and dry weather. She next ended up moving to Chula Vista, Calif., and there met her love, which started the next many chapters of her life.

Bob and “Ann,” as he has called her, met in June of 1958 at a gathering of young folks. After a brief courtship, they realized they were meant for each other. After only six and a half weeks of dating and the decision made to marry, her parents suggested a planned family reunion as also the perfect time for a wedding. They exchanged marriage vows at the water-side family home at Lake Chelan on Aug. 8, 1958.

The Craigs started their married life in Whittier, Calif., and later moved to Huntington Beach, Calif. Children were always a great desire for Doris and Bob and they were thankful to add two daughters to their family. Doris loved being a mother to Gail and Karen, and found rich reward in being a gracious homemaker.

While in California, Doris and Bob enjoyed hosting many military service boys, giving them a home-away-from-home during the Vietnam War. The family home was always bustling with people and lots of laughter. They made their way to Washington state, living in Lynwood from 1968-1976, then moved to beautiful Whidbey Island where they have continued to reside for the most part. During the economic downturn in the early 80s they briefly moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, where more dear friends were made. Just recently Doris and Bob downsized, moving to an apartment adjacent to Karen and Greg’s home.

Doris loved to travel and the family often spent their early Washington years camping on weekends and exploring the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada, frequently sharing the experience with friends. Since those years, travels further afield were thoroughly enjoyed, especially when reconnecting with family and friends met previously. Hawaii was an especially highly-valued place to visit, last experienced just three months ago.

When young, Doris was interested in police work, however female involvement wasn’t encouraged back then. When the opportunity occurred in the 1990s, she helped start the volunteer Citizens on Patrol group for Oak Harbor and advanced to Captain. She volunteered for 18 years helping out her community.

Family time was very important to Doris and she cherished her time spent with her daughters, granddaughters and loved having a son and grandsons added to the family. Every place the Craigs have lived and vacationed, they felt privileged to share in and be a part of a fellowship and spiritual family that transcends natural time and human understanding. They loved having an open home for all to enjoy.

Doris was diagnosed with Carcinoid tumors in 2004, which were well managed, and just recently with congestive heart failure. Despite these medical concerns and chronic skin problems her entire life, she never let medical frustrations keep her from enjoying her love for others and her faith. She passed away after contracting a sudden infection, which became systemic and caused multiple organ failure. She passed away Jan. 11, 2017 after only a few hours spent under tender and dedicated care at the hospital in Coupeville.

Doris Ann is survived by Bob, her husband of 58 years; daughter Gail Craig of Lacey, Wash.; daughter Karen (Greg) Hamming of Oak Harbor; granddaughters Amber (Chris) Rankin and Shelbey (Josh) Fikse; a great-grandchild expected in early July; and cousin Sarah Lou Wisdom.

Funeral services for Doris will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at North Whidbey Middle School gym with a reception to follow. Please visit Doris’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home &Cremation, LLC.