Doris Helen Dahl

Doris Helen Dahl (March 4 – August 24, 2011) listened to her last earthly piece of classical music on August 24, 2011 while in the company of those closest to her. Doris was a remarkable woman. She was fiercely independent, ageless, compassionate, loving, non-judgemental, a lifelong learner and an expansive thinker. Doris lived an exemplary life-true to self while still wonderfully caring about others. Doris’s vibrant sense of humor and quick wit made every day a noteworthy experience full of joy and laughter for herself and those around her. Her life was one of grace, style, class and dignity.

Doris was born to parents Richard and Virginia Dahl, in Ovando, Montana – a rugged ranching village nestled on the valley floor between the Swan and Garnet mountains near the Idaho border. Doris attended a one room school there – recalling that when the snow was too deep to go to school she could sometimes hear her lessons over the radio. In winter, her family tied a rope from the house to the barn so they would not get lost in the snow. Doris fondly recalled her childhood ‘pets’ – a horse named Bird that she rode to school, her goat named Fred who followed her like a dog and her 3 legged chicken. After finishing school in Ovando, Doris moved to the west coast for further education.

After completing her education, Doris took a job in Washington, DC. When a job transfer became available, Doris chose to relocate to Michigan to be nearer to lifelong friends (family that chose each other), Kathryn and John Anderson and their family.

Soon after that, Doris began work at Michigan State University (MSU). Doris remained at MSU as an Administrative Assistant for Dean Louie in the Business School until her retirement. Doris participated in many activities on the MSU campus, especially prizing the opportunities to attend classical music performances and a variety of cultural events.

Doris took great delight in her home and enjoyed making every aspect of it the best it could possibly be. She exquisitely crafted a beautiful calming interior, complimented by a gorgeous yard some have even described as a park. Each year she looked forward to starting the Christmas season by placement of a huge wreath in her picture window.

After retirement, Doris continued learning and exploring new activities. Doris was an avid traveler – having visited Japan, Norway, Paris, Denmark, Egypt and many spots in the Caribbean as well as Mexico. When traveling, Doris enjoyed meeting new people and learning about other cultures. She often developed long term friendships with people from her travels.

Doris was always very involved with the creative arts. She continued her interest in the arts when she retired. Doris became an excellent gourmet cook and took pleasure in providing a delightful dining experience to her guests. She took several pottery classes, had her own small potter’s wheel and crafted many beautiful pieces, some of which were even placed in galleries. Doris was also an accomplished painter creating some wonderful still life pieces. Doris appreciated the viewing of artistic creations as well. She was a frequent visitor at a variety of galleries and was a docent at Kresge Art Museum. A further expression of Doris’s creativity could be seen in her love of dance. She was an accomplished ballroom dancer and frequently attended special dance events, enjoying both participating in dances and viewing dance presentations.

Doris’s artistic areas of greatest interest were Shakespeare, The Opera and Classical Music. For many years, she made an annual summer trip to Stratford, Ontario to attend the Shakespearian Festival there. She attended operatic performances whenever and wherever possible.

One of the most outstanding characteristics of Doris was how much she cared about others. Her connections to the people in her life were deep, abiding and lifelong. Those who were fortunate to be Doris’s friends never had cause to doubt that. Doris was predeceased by her parents,Richard and Virginia; longtime friends, who became family, Kathryn and John Anderson, Beth Anderson, Elizabeth and Faye Church and Oma Goff. Those left to enjoy the next classical music selection while fondly recalling Doris include Norman Huver, Jane(Anderson) and Cal Beach, Kathy(Anderson) and Bill Minnis, Barbara (Church) and Jim Gripton and family, DT Carowan and family, Nancy Clifford, Anita Tomasa Diaz Lopez, her exercise class ladies and many friends in the East Lansing Community.

A Memorial Service will be held on September 8th at 11:00 A.M. at Peoples Church, 200 W. Grand River Ave., East Lansing where Doris had a long time affiliation. Those considering a memorial donation are encouraged to donate to the Doris H. Dahl Scholarship. Donations can be made in Doris’s memory by having checks written to MSU. On the memo line, please note Doris H. Dahl Scholarship or IMO Doris Dahl. Donations can be mailed to: MSU, College of Music Advancement, 105 Music Building, East Lansing, MI 48824. (Envelopes will also be available at the service)

“Good night, Good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow.”

Romeo and Juliet (Act II, Scene II)

Arrangements under the direction of Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing, MI.