Doris Ferris

She had quite a life. She was on stage at the age of 16 thanks to her enthusiastic mother. She was already a beauty, and although she did not have any training in the arts, she became one of the regulars in Ken Murray's Blackouts in Hollywood. A friend of my father set them up on a blind date when she was 20 and that was it. They married 3 months later and were happily married for 60 years. Mom quit the stage. All she wanted to be was a good wife and good mother. And she was certainly both in an extraordinary way.

She was an amazing mother while growing up. I can still hear her laughter and feel her sweetness from those years. She was always there wanting to know how our day at school was, making our lunches, and carpooling us to school and everywhere else. Her fulfillment at being the good wife and good mother was an inspiration.

She was a great cook. I remember well our family dinners every night. She was also a great seamstress. She made some fabulous clothes for herself (and she could put an outfit together!) and clothes for us.

Mom became a Catholic when she was 20. She embraced her religion and beliefs with fervor. I remember so well as a child, getting all dressed up and going to Mass every Sunday with prayer books in hand - the five of us.

She took many wonderful trips with my father. They spent a lot of time in Europe in particular. One of her favorite trips was to Italy in 1959 when she had a private audience with Pope John XXIII thanks to a wonderful friendship with Fr. Taylor.

She took up painting while in her forties and produced many paintings. This gave her great pleasure and later she enjoyed giving them away to relatives and friends.

She adored my father all her life and was mesmerized by his music. They had a romance that is rare. On their 60th wedding anniversary they dressed up, although they couldn't go out anywhere, and held hands all day.

She also dealt with tragedy when her son died at the age of 42. She dealt with illness having been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and severe back conditions 15 years ago. She was courageous in her battle with pain and disabilities. She was an inspiration to others. Despite all that, she still enjoyed dressing up and going our to dinner or to a family party.

My mother will be missed tremendously. I am comforted by the fact that she is now with the Lord her Savior and her adoring husband, and that her spirit is free from a disabled body.

She lived with grace and beauty. She was more beautiful inside than outside. I know she touched all of you in some way.

I like this verse: Your mother, through your memories, will never leave you. You will feel her tender care from now on as a warm serenity in your heart.

Here is one of many poems that my father wrote to her:

Three is no pen so durable

and no amount of ink

to write the gentle phrases of

the loving thoughts I think.

The loving thanks for all the joy

that you have given me

and for the better person

you've inspired me to be.

There is not dictionary, dear

with words enough to say

how much I love you, and how much

you mean in every way.

A million letters could not tell

or honestly express

my heartfelt gratitude to you

for so much happiness.

But in these lines I promise that

my love is deep and true

and as I end this poem

I give my heart to you.