Doris Elizabeth (Lyonais) Davis, 79

Doris passed quickly on March 20, 2015, at Valley Care Hospital in Pleasanton, California, of an aortic aneurysm. Her children Greg Davis and Lisa Maneatis were at her side. She was anointed and blessed by the hospital chaplain, then cremated at Graham-Hitch Mortuary in Pleasanton.

Doris was born on March 23, 1935, in Williston, North Dakota, to Cecilia and Ed Lyonais. The family moved to Kalispell where Doris was raised surrounded by her large and loving family. She attended St. Matthew’s and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1954. She moved to Portland right after high school to comfort a friend whose husband was away at the Korean War.

Doris studied secretarial science and received a Dental Assistant Certificate at University of Oregon Dental School. Having an interest in performing, Doris attended the Academy of Music & Arts Portland, and Gloria La Vonne Finishing School. She supported herself working as a dental assistant and by modeling.

In 1959, Doris met and then married Robert S. Davis in June 1961. In May 1962 they had a son, Greg, and in December 1963 a daughter, Lisa. Doris was a wonderful homemaker, wife and mother; she was the heart of the family. Doris was the driving force, keeping all immediate and extended family close. She hosted large family dinners almost every Sunday and countless get togethers with friends. When not hosting parties, Doris was very active in the PTA and always chaired or helped at school events and shows.

One of the family’s favorite things to do was the yearly trip to Kalispell to visit family. In 1979, her husband Robert was transferred by JI Case Co. and the family moved to Livermore, California. Having more free time, Doris perused her favorite hobbies: decorating, arts and crafts, tennis and swimming. She decided her passion was decorating and in 1982 attended Chabot Junior College and got an Interior Design Certificate. Doris later opened her own business, Davis Designs & Interiors in downtown Pleasanton. She put her talents to work on the decorating committee of St. Charles Church, as well as taking the Eucharist to the elderly, and hosting a grief support group at her home. Doris continued to enjoy yearly trips to Kalispell and to Portland to visit family, especially her granddaughter in Portland, Amanda, born 1993. She was blessed with another granddaughter, just 30 miles away in California, Nicole, born 2003.

In 2009 Doris’s health began to deteriorate due to a 2003 injury. She was on oxygen full time and her son Greg moved from Portland to Livermore to stay with her. Although her health was deteriorating, she was still able to make the trip to Kalispell in August 2014 to attend her 60th class reunion and visit family. She enjoyed the 2014 holidays with her children, granddaughter Nicole, and extended family in California.

Doris was truly one of the wonderful people of this world, and now she is with the Lord. She will be greatly missed by all who know her.

Doris is survived by her children, Greg Davis of Portland, Lisa Maneatis of Mountain View, California; granddaughter, Amanda Davis of Portland, granddaughter, Nicole Maneatis of Mountain View; sisters, Janice Burnell of Seattle, Patti and husband James Slack of Kalispell, Judy Carr of Greenbelt, Maryland, Chris Neal of Portland; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Doris’s ex-husband Robert, whom she remained close with and shared holidays and special occasions, passed on April 17, 2015, due to complications from Alzheimer’s.

Doris joins her dear departed parents Cecilia and Ed Lyonais, brother James Lyonais, sister Gail Mitchell, brothers-in-law Don Burnell, Glen Carr, Michael Neal, Dan Mitchell, niece Danette Mitchell, and all extended family and friends who have passed. God bless them all!

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:10 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Risen Christ Catholic Church in Kalispell, followed by a luncheon in the parish hall and then burial at Glacier Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Risen Christ Catholic Church, 65 W. Evergreen Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901, or the charity of your choice.