Born in Jacksonville, Illinois to Clifford and Mary Gertrude (Baptist) Ornellas, she lived much of her childhood and all her adult life in the Kansas City area, including 60 years in Prairie Village. Doris graduated from Paseo High School in 1944. She married Richard (Dick) Siren in 1948, and they had four children. Dick passed away in 1981.
Doris learned Signing Exact English and worked for many years as a paraprofessional teaching children who were hard of hearing at Santa Fe Trail Elementary School. She was an amazing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt, and was always excited when family members would visit. Even before cell phones, she somehow knew when family was arriving, and the front door or garage door would magically open just as you arrived. Family always gathered at her home for festive and fun holidays. Her children and grandchildren have many happy memories of sitting around her kitchen table talking and laughing. Family stories were told by all, some true, many exaggerated, and Mom/Grandma would usually end up laughing until she couldn’t talk. Doris was a wonderful neighbor to many families and friends on 78th Terrace through the years. Her children’s friends always knew they were welcome in her home and would likely be served homemade chocolate chip or sugar cookies.
Doris had a large network of friends that extended back to her high school days. She helped to organize several Paseo High School reunions. She was an active member of Asbury United Methodist Church, volunteering her time and advocating that the church should be a welcoming place for all people. She was also a talented tole painter, creating realistic paintings of fruit and flower arrangements. Doris was a friendly, outgoing person who enjoyed talking with people whether at work or school, or in the grocery store check-out line. She was open-minded and accepting of all. She will be missed by many.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Richard (Dick) Siren, her sisters, Alberta White and Karen Kueck, her son, Doug Siren, and her grandson, Shaun Siren. She is survived by her children: Jeff Siren, Michael Siren, and Kathy Siren (Jim May); by grandchildren: Jennifer (Eric) Busenbark, Jake Kearney, Lauren Siren (Travis Sausaman), Brynn (Chris) Dosier, Jameson May, and Bella Siren; by great-grandchildren: Sadi, Tara, Blake, Ashton, Finley, Kellan, Breckan, Kyler and Kynsleigh; by three great-great-grandchildren; and by many adored nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will take place on Friday, June 9th at 10 am at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri. Burial in Mount Moriah Cemetery South.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mtmoriah.net for the Siren family.
