Doris Leblanc Maraist

Born on January 20, 1937, in Port Arthur, Texas to Beatrice “Bea” Borne Leblanc and Lawrence “Bob” Leblanc, Doris grew up with a deep love for family, kindness, and community. As a young child she lived in Texas but at the age of 4 moved to Astoria, Oregon and later Buffalo, N.Y. when her mother remarried. Her stepfather, Tommy Wheeler died suddenly when Doris was 10 and the family moved back to Texas. During high school, she met the love of her life, Dr. Donald Joseph Maraist Sr. They both graduated from Bishop Byrne High School and together, they built a life grounded in resilience, faith, and love.

Doris devoted herself to raising their five children. As the wife of a Naval officer, she embraced a life of travel and change while raising their young children moving from one end of the country to the other. Later, moving back home to Port Arthur, she assisted and supported Don in running a thriving medical practice. Her life of travel was not over, however, as they returned to Navy life, once again traversing the country with their youngest child. After retirement, Doris and Don settled in Lake Jackson. No matter where life took her, Doris created a warm and welcoming home filled with compassion, strength, and unconditional love.

Doris was a woman whose heart knew no limits. Despite the loss she suffered in her life, she loved deeply and generously — not only her family and lifelong friends, but even those she had only just met. Her kindness made people feel instantly welcome and cared for. She was unwavering in her Christian faith and during the last few years opened her home each week to host a Bible study, sharing fellowship, encouragement, and love with those around her.

Above all else, Doris treasured her family. She was endlessly proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, celebrating their accomplishments, loving them fiercely every day of her life.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. Donald Joseph Maraist Sr.; her sons, Ronald “Ronnie” Joseph Maraist and Donald “Don” Joseph Maraist Jr.; her daughters, Sandra “Sandy” Faye Maraist and Donna Rene Kostic; and her parents, Beatrice “Bea” Borne Leblanc Courtney and Lawrence “Bob” Leblanc. She is survived by her loving sisters, Faye Adaway and Jessica Godfrey Lloyd and husband William; her daughter, Katherine McNamara and husband Dylan; her grandchildren, Andrew Kostic, Daniel Kostic, Kathleen Allbritton, Takumi Maraist, Jonathan McNamara, and Kaelyn McNamara; as well as numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

Doris leaves behind a legacy of faith, resilience, compassion, and unconditional love. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is reunited with those who went before her and resting peacefully in the presence of the Lord she loved so dearly. She will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.