Doris Della Tooley Tidwell

Doris Tidwell, 96, of Milwaukie, Oregon passed away peacefully, following a short illness, at her son, Ralph and his wife Katie’s home in Portland. She was surrounded by the love of her family, and the compassionate support from Adventist Hospice. Until two weeks before her passing, she had been living independently in her home of 30 years, which was of great importance to her.

Doris was born November 6th, 1926, in Vanzant, Missouri on her family’s farm, to Lucinda and Cornelius Tooley. She was the youngest of 8 children. During the Great Depression, the Tooley’s, like so many others, lost their farm and were forced to relocate. They ended up in Poplar Bluff, MO. The family would build a log cabin and Doris would reminisce about her uncertainty of how they survived those rough years. She would meet her future husband, Perry Tidwell, working on a neighboring farm. The two fell in love and wed, May 22, 1942. Perry was making fifty cents a day plowing fields with a mule; Doris married for love not riches. Their marriage lasted for 45 years until the passing of her beloved “Buster” on June 30, 1987.

With World War II raging around the world, their lives changed immensely. Perry, like countless other Americans including most men in Doris’ family, joined the service. During the war, Doris and their young daughter, Helen Louise, had moved with family to Parma, ID, to locate work. Perry served in the Army Air Corps until his honorable discharge in 1945, following which he immediately headed West to rejoin his family. Their son, Ralph, was born two years later in 1947. The family then moved to Nyssa, OR, where the kids were educated.

Doris joined the Church of Latter-Day Saints in 1962, and the Church became a bedrock of support and love throughout her life. She enjoyed the Ladies of Relief Society and the many projects they undertook. Her Temple work and time she spent helping in the library were some of her most enjoyable and satisfying. She made friends through the Church who would remain close to Doris for decades.

Doris began working at Ore-Ida in food processing in 1965. Six years later, Doris and Perry bought a home in Fruitland, ID. Doris felt pride for the 27 years she worked for Ore-Ida before her well-deserved retirement. Soon after, she moved to Milwaukie, OR to be closer to her son, Ralph, and his family.

Another constant in Doris’ life was her family. She felt being a mother was the biggest blessing in her life, and she was the matriarch of an ever-growing family including 9 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 19 great-great-grandchildren. Doris’ love for her family was unconditional; she embraced all with acceptance and provided gentle guidance and a listening ear.

Doris is survived by her son, Ralph Tidwell and his wife, Katie O’Brien; grandchildren, Vern Gillogly (Sherrill), Bruce Gillogly (Kathy), Kelly Gillogly (Stacey), Kyle Gillogly (Lois), Oryan Tidwell (Ashley), Jenn Kirkpatrick (Jacob), Mandy Tidwell (JT Barnum), and Addison O’Brien Swartout. She was preceded in death by her husband, Perry; three years later, she suffered the tragic loss of her daughter, Helen at 46 years old; then her grandson, Timothy; and great-great-granddaughter, Hazelynn.

Doris’ nieces, Sue Barnett and Carol Tooley Collins deserve special recognition, for always providing news and gossip, and a lifeline to her family in Idaho, we are forever grateful for this!

Doris was an avid nature lover. She loved to fish, rock hunt, and find fossils. She thought camping was a little overrated! Her flower and vegetable gardens were magnificent. Doris’ knowledge of plant and animal life could rival that of Google! She always had farm animals or pets, up until the very end of her days. She loved to read and watch animal and nature themed television shows. When she discovered a new series, “Naked and Afraid”, she was hooked! At 90, she was certain she could survive 21 days on the show. By 96, she had changed her mind, and found a new respect for all those naked adventures.

Doris had a talent in her ability to sew, quilt, crochet and knit. She made scarfs, lap blankets and knit caps for the Church, preemies in the hospital, and the homeless. Every child & grandchild received a blanket which was custom made for them. She was a collector of dolls, teddy bears, stamps, coins, Beanie Babies, and garden gnomes.

Even though retired and on a limited income, Doris was generous in her support for cancer causes, veterans, and Smile Train. Doris was a cancer survivor for 35 years. She had colon cancer at 62 years old and the operation and recovery affected her quality of life. She never gave up and considered every day a blessing.

After Mom’s passing, it was enjoyable to read her thoughts contained in her journals. Doris liked to offer honest opinions, but mentioned she would take a moment and ask the Lord to place his hand over her mouth in case she spoke too quickly. It was a lovely thought, leading to laughter through our tears.

Doris was a wonderful caring person. God got a keeper when he took her home. She will be greatly missed, but we all know she was ready to be embraced by God and rejoin her family in Heaven.

A memorial service was held on July 20th at Stehn Family Chapels in Milwaukie, OR Doris will be interred with her husband, Perry in New Plymouth, ID.