Doris Marie Kendley
Doris Kendley passed peacefully on to be with the Lord in Polson, Montana on March 18, 2010.
Mom was born Doris Marie Lyons, on June 22, 1917 on a family ranch near Two Dot, Montana. Doris was born the second daughter of Minnie and George Lyons. Doris was the granddaughter of Montana Pioneers who came to Montana Territory in the 1860’s.
When she was born, her mother proclaimed, “Another little sunshine girl”. Her statement set the tone for Doris’ life, as she was a fried to everyone and a source of joy to those who knew her. Mom always loved wild roses and said they bloomed on her birthday, they still will…
She attended high school in Helena. Prior to World War II she moved first to Canada and then to the Territory of Alaska, where she worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In Alaska she met her husband of 65 years, Thomas “Ed” Kendley. Doris and Ed spent the war years in Alaska where Ed entered the U.S. Army.
After the war, the couple moved back to their home state of Montana. Doris had previously attended the University of Montana and later the University of Wyoming. She was a vital force in seeing her husband graduate from the University of Wyoming and later, that her two sons graduated from the University of Montana.
Doris and Ed moved many times, following employment opportunities in Wyoming, Washington, and South Dakota before finally returning to stay in Montana. Doris served as an excellent secretary, having worked for the General Manager of the Alaska Railroad, the General Manager of Northwest Airlines and the District Manager of the Veterans Administration in Chicago. Doris retired after 25 years of Federal Service in 1977.
The couple moved to Polson, Montana in 1978 where they operated a cherry orchard and Christmas tree farm.
Doris was generous to a fault. She would give those less fortunate anything she could. She would often open her home to migrant fruit workers and developed many dear friends throughout her long life.
Doris is survived by her loving husband Ed, her two sons Jack of Helena and Steve of Polson, her daughter-in-law Mary and two grandchildren Sam of Sacramento, California and Haley Marie of Polson, Montana.
A memorial service will be held on April 24, 2010 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Polson, Montana at 2:00 P.M.
The family requests that anyone who wants to do something in Doris’ memory please donate to the American Red Cross, Haiti Earthquake Relief fund.
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Mrs. Kendley’s family.
Dear Ed, Jack, Steve, Mary and Haley,
I wish we could be with you as you say goodbye to your beloved wife, Mom and Grandma. Doris was a lovely lady with a heart as big as Montana, and she had a beautiful smile and laugh to go along with her big heart. We will always think of her with great affection. She was a blessing and inspiration to you all, I know, but I hope you find comfort also in knowing how much happiness you brought to her life, and how blessed she felt by you all.
With love and fond memories of your beloved Doris,
Julie and Mickey and All
Ed, Jack, Steve and all,
So sorry for your loss.
As you know, sweet Doris was my 2nd Mom.
I know that you will miss her tremendously.
At least she is resting comfortably now….and is waiting for you in heaven.
I will always cherish my fond thoughts of her.
My best regards to all of you,
Skip Vetten
Jack and family –
Please know that we are thinking of you and we love you. Having such a wonderful and attentive son, surely must have made all of your mother’s days happy. It must have given her joy too, to know that you and your brother get along and do so many things as a family. That is a GIFT. We are leaving for Baja on Saturday, but we will be with you at Saint Andrews in spirit. (The same name as my church.)
Much love,
Kris & Tom
Firstly let me offer my condolences and say that Mrs Kendley was undoubtedly a good person and the salt of the earth.
Perhaps this is not the time I should be sending this e-mail, so if it causes offence I am sorry. My Gt Grandmother was a Kendley who lived in Bristol England. I am researching the family tree and in view of the fact that this surname is not common I contact as many people who may have a connection as possible. Please forgive me if I intrude into your grief.
Yours Sicerely.
Kenneth Lewis
Dear Ed, Steve, and family:
I have so many great memories of Doris. All those years ago, when she hired me, she made me feel like I was special. She treated all of us girls like we belonged to her. It made my first experience away from home not as scary as it could have been. I feel there are few people that cross your path that have that kind of an impact, that I can say my life has been blessed to have known such a wonderful person. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Toni Slocum