Doris Eileen Porter

Doris Eileen Porter, 74, died peacefully on February 12, 2021 at her home in Surprise, AZ. She was born September 4, 1946 in South Bend, IN, the daughter of Walter W. Gordon and Esther D. Gordon, and lived most of her early life in South Bend, IN. Time spent with her parents, brother, half-sister was special for Doris where she formed her unique approach to life.

Doris graduated from James Whitcomb Riley High School in 1965. She met her future husband and father to her children in 7th grade, James A. Booth, dated in high school, and eventually married and had three children, Scott, Eric, and Gregory. After living in South Bend, IN for most of her early life, she moved to several cities maintaining the household and being a devoted Mother to her 3 children.

After her children grew up, she turned her attention to developing a career in the Food Brokerage business. It all started in Birmingham, AL, at Phillips Food Brokerage in 1985, continuing in several cities with several companies before she retired with Acosta in Surprise, AZ in 2011.

Doris always embraced being call a “chatty Kathy” as she had the uncanny ability to talk to any stranger. She loved to chat with grocery store employees or have long conversations with her family and close friends equally.

Doris embraced the simple things in life, doing renovation projects to her home whether it was painting, redecorating or finding antiques or other knickknacks in her own unique style. She treasured quirky items that would remind her of people, places, or things from her past. Every item in her home always had a story behind it!

Starting during her childhood, Doris always loved to train and nurture her dogs. She loved so many breeds of dogs including mutts as long as they had a “loving” temperament. She always considered her dogs her “4-legged children”.

Doris was a true gypsy. When she met her life partner Gary Pessek in 2011, she continued her “gypsy lifestyle” with 11 addresses during their 10-year relationship. Doris lived in a total of 13 states in her life finally settling in Surprise, AZ.

Doris had a gift for making dear friends wherever she went. She was quick to laugh, adventurous, sentimental, interested and willing to try new things, witty, loved reminiscing, and always, always sharing stories.

But it was her role as a daughter, sister, mother and mother & grandmother to her dogs that will leave the most lasting legacy. She was our best friend, confidant, mentor, and beloved woman who taught us that simple things are the best things in life. Doris was a caring woman that accepted you for who you are who left us too early.

She is survived by her life partner Gary Pessek of Surprise, AZ; son Scott A. Booth of Cary, NC: son Eric A. Booth of Leland, NC; son Gregory A. Booth of Ogden, NC.; brother Raymond Gordon of Desert Hot Springs, CA; niece Sandy Blackford and husband Mark Blackford of Mishawka, IN.

At her request, no services will be held. A private service will be held at a later date in South Bend, IN with family members. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hospice of the Valley in the greater Phoenix, AZ area. Go to https://www.hov.org/donate/ for more details.