Doris May (Wilkins) Dean

Doris was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil on February 27, 1928, to American Carl Wilkins and Brazilian Wanda (Levy) Wilkins. She graduated from MacKenzie High School in Sao Paulo, Brazil and continued her education in Liberal Arts for 3 years, toward a major in Spanish and a minor in Portuguese at University of Wisconsin at Madison. She later completed her bachelor’s degree at American University in Washington, D.C. She went on to get her master’s degree at La Universidad National Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City, in Spanish American History, and pursued at the age of 72, another master’s degree in theological studies at the University of Dallas.

Doris married Robert W. Dean on December 16, 1948; they were married 65 years. She was a dedicated and actively involved wife of a U.S. Diplomat in the U.S., Germany, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru, where her husband became Ambassador. She was a loving mother of their 4 children. After her husband retired from the Foreign Service, Doris worked briefly as a Spanish teacher at TCU and then at Brookhaven College for 12 years in Dallas.

Spending quality time with her family from across the U.S. and Brazil was a great joy for her. Tennis, swimming and aquacise, playing the guitar and singing in the choir at St. Rita’s Church in Dallas for about 30 years, bible study and spiritual retreats, traveling to holy sites, as well as other places domestic and abroad were some of her many interests and activities. She was also actively involved in North Dallas Shared Ministries, now known as Now-Forward, and contributed to several other charities.

Doris is preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Shelley, grandson David, son-in-law Jim, and daughter-in-law Dona. Doris is survived by son Jimmy, and daughter-in-law Mary Ann; daughter Karen and son-in-law Bob; daughter Virginia and son-in-law Rich; granddaughter Jennifer, her husband Sean and their son Robert and daughter Madeline; granddaughter Patricia, her husband Chris and their sons Will and Thomas and daughter Margot; granddaughter Susan and her son Austin; and grandson Jim Walters, his wife Jessica and their sons Anthony and Oliver and step grandson Ryan, and other family and friends.

Visitation, including a Rosary, will be Sunday, September 14, from 11AM to 3PM at Calvary Hill Funeral Home, 3235 Lombardy Lane, Dallas, Texas 75220.

Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at 2:30pm on Monday, September 15, at the Chapel of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 180 Samuel Blvd, Coppell, Texas 75019 with Father Edwin Leonard officiating.

Catholic Burial will be held Wednesday, September 17, at 10:00 AM at Calvary Hill Funeral Home, 3235 Lombardy Lane, Dallas, Texas 75220 with Deacon Kory officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Doris’s memory may be made to Now-Forward, formerly known as North Dallas Shared Ministries, online at now-forward.org or by sending a check to Now-Forward, 2875 Merrell Road, Dallas, Texas 75229.

The family of Doris May Dean wishes to thank St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Coppell, Father Edwin Leonard, Deacon Kory, administrators, volunteers and staff; Christus St. Joseph in Coppell, Father Henry, Father Cliff, administrators, nurses and caregiving staff; Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Grapevine doctors, nurses and staff; and health care professionals including Rose; Lovette, Lisa, Ruth and Heather and loving family and friends for supporting Doris and her family during her life and after her death.

If there is anyone that can not attend the Funeral Mass, please join us through the live stream link provided below. There is also a hyperlink attached to the funeral mass service that you can click to take you directly to the website where it will be lived streamed. Thank you.

Live Stream Link: https://vimeo.com/event/3768339/db05db0cbf

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.calvaryhilldallas.com for the Dean family.