Doris Lynn Woodworth

Doris Lynn Woodworth, age 83, passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas, surrounded by her family. She was born on June 30, 1941, in Oak Creek Wisconsin, to her parents Sophia (Brish) and Sylvester Vanselow.

Doris grew up on a small farm in a rustic home in a rural area south of Milwaukee, with four loving sisters, a precious mother, and a hard-working father. A family and local legend has it that her father Sylvester got fed up with not being blessed with a son, that he finally decided to put his girls to work on the family farm. Working on and around the farm was not always an easy life, but it was there that Doris developed a strong work ethic, a love of nature, and all that God provides us from working the land. It was likely at this time when she developed her lifelong love and appreciation in the history and restoration of antique furniture as well. The bond amongst her sisters was strong due to the unique home environment they shared, but at times fragile, because they were still young girls with many common, but often different dreams and aspirations.

Although Doris was comfortable working the soil she also was a very smart, active and beautiful woman. One of the highlights of her life was attending and graduating from South Milwaukee High School. When she was young, her and one of her sisters would pretend and dream that they were starlets in Hollywood. Well, they never made it to Hollywood in that fashion, but they did get to experience an era in time common of suburban America in the 1950s, romanticized in the 1970s pop-culture sitcom, “Happy Days.” While at the home of the “Rockets” she was a member of Assembly Council, Assembly Announcers, Cheerleading, Harbinger, Rifle Club, Cardo Club, Homecoming Court and the Prom Court. The culmination of this chapter of her life was being the first young lady to be crowned as Miss Oak Creek and going on to compete in the Miss Wisconsin Pageant. These indeed were some of the best years of her life.

Later in life she became an active member of The Victorian Ladies Society of San Diego. There she was known as Lady Doris. Besides a clean home and raising children, a Victorian Lady was expected to prepare meals. This might explain why she inscribed more recipes than meals that she could have ever possibly prepared in 83 years. Hospitality was an ethical practice during the Victorian era. Doris loved this practice and always had a soft place in her heart for seniors in the church and often made sure they were invited over for dinner during special occasions.

Her initial formal working career started in high school as a salesclerk at a small pharmacy followed by a position at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and A. C. Spark Plug Division (General Motors Corporation). In support of her husband, Doris worked a short period of time at Rex Chain Belt Company. Subsequent to this time, her primary vocation became wife to her former husband George E Woodworth, and mother to her two children for about a decade. Following this changing chapter in her life she continued to raise her children and resumed her formal working career for another 29 years. During this period of her life, she held positions at Grace Lutheran Day School, Smith Shade & Linoleum, Walker Scott Department Store, Farmer’s Insurance, Acme Automotive Finishes (Sherwin Williams Company) and finally retiring with 20 years of service at the San Diego (CA) County Office of Education. Through these many years she worked primarily in accounting and in administrative assistant positions, but also worked at times in sales.

To say she was the plant lady might be an understatement. She had a garden in just about every place she lived. The most notable garden was when Doris became a pioneer in urban horticulture while raising her children in the city of San Diego. The front and back yard of every possible vegetable would inspire occasional people to stop and take a picture.

Doris lived three main volumes in her life and many more chapters. Her three volumes geographically were Wisconsin, San Diego, California and Hemet, California: with a brief postlude in Texas. Doris was always active and involved in her community. She loved Jury Duty, created and displayed art in handicraft shows, voted religiously and supported local sports and the arts. Doris served in many community and Lutheran organizations, charities and missions; to include the Board of Education, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), Lutheran Business and Professional Women’s Club of San Diego, Stephen Ministries, Samaritan Club (United Way) and the Prince of Peace Lutheran Bereavement Committee.

A few years after Doris retired, she moved into the Four Seasons retirement community in Hemet, California. Surrounded by other seniors she developed a cherished garden area, served in the community, made new friends, attended and served at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, moonlighted in pet-sitting and continued her participation as Lady Doris in the Victorian Ladies Society of San Diego.

Doris was steadfast in her political and religious views. As a child she grew up in a home with intellectual parents that regularly discussed the politics of the day and held steady opinions. While growing up her family became baptized and confirmed members of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Although she had an open mind, that mind would close quickly if you did not produce a convincing argument. We will leave politics out of it, so no feelings are hurt. However, religion we will include. In the end I suppose that is what is most important when you are in the moment. Doris was both a Saint and a Sinner. When baptized we are all both, but perhaps we’re not always aware. The Sinner part comes from the devil and the Saint comes from the Holy Spirit. Like all of us Doris was far from perfect, but she was very generous with her time, talents and treasures. Feared by some and loved by many, Doris was indeed blessed by God with what could be called an uncommon sense of humor and a bit of a lead foot on occasion. When Doris saw a green light in the distance, while driving, she would repeatedly chant “green, green stay on the scene, don’t go away ‘til Halloween.” - Circa: 1973. Although she was not in a rush to get to the end, the end is now here in some sense. In another sense it is preparation for the new beginning. Doris lived in the hope that we all have as Christians, the true hope that is trust and confidence in God’s promise of salvation.

She was preceded in death by her parents. Doris is survived by her children, Julie L. Swartz (Stephen) and Shawn P. Woodworth; grandchildren, John J. Swartz (Gigi) and Elizabeth L. Swartz; great grandchild, Silas G. Swartz; sisters, Phyllis Kraning, Beverly Essig, Linda Nelson and Lois Rostkowski; and many other extended family members and friends. A private service will be held by the family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Organ Restoration in Action (GLORIA) 3967 Park Blvd. San Diego, California 92103; (619) 299-2890.