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Submitted: 8/6/21 • Approved: 8/9/21 • Last Updated: 8/12/21 • R272536-G272535-S3
Doris Ruth Moore
September 13, 1924 - December 07, 2020
Doris Ruth Moore, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at Ava’s Hospice House on December 7, 2020 at the age of 96. Doris was born on September 13, 1924 in Philadelphia PA to Peele and Ruth Wilkinson. Orphaned at a young age during the Great Depression, she credited her grandmother Eliza and cousin Elizabeth for shaping her resilience and strength. Doris’ strong Irish roots were of great importance to her.
On her twentieth birthday, her patriotic spirit compelled her to enlist in the United States Coast Guard. Doris eagerly served during World War II, working in the Intelligence Department in Washington DC. After her honorable discharge she moved to Los Angeles and worked at a Hollywood studio, where she met her first celebrity crush, Frank Sinatra.
Marriage to a Navy seaman produced the greatest gift in her life: her daughter, Kathleen Anne, who was born in Hawaii where they were stationed. Mother and daughter then planted their roots in San Diego, CA. When Kathy married Tom Rush and they had four children of their own, Grandma was a central figure in every day of their lives. She was a devoted and ever-present grandma, who later came to be an equally doting great-grandma (Gigi) to her ten great-grandchildren.
In 1992 Doris made the move from San Diego to Sioux Falls with her daughter's family. She spent many of her days at the Center for Active Generations, where she became an integral part of the drama club - writing and starring in countless productions. Above all else, Doris was a true comedian at heart. She won the silver medal for her comedy act in the 2009 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, placing second out of 3,000 entries.
Her favorite acting role was that of Grandma Nunzio in a local production of Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding, where she became an honorary grandma to many young castmates. She wrote plays and performed stand-up comedy until she was 85 years old.
It was one of the great honors of her lifetime to be celebrated on a Midwest Honor Flight in 2009 and visit the WWII memorial in Washington DC. A proud Veteran, Doris always claimed she bled red, white and blue.
Doris was a longtime fan of Michael Buble and she traveled to several of his concerts with her daughter and granddaughters. On her 89th birthday a chanting crowd convinced Buble to bring her on stage, where he then serenaded her. His music continued to bring her comfort through her final days. At 92 years young, she traveled with her granddaughter to Las Vegas to see “Magic Mike Live”, where she was again serenaded in the spotlight.
Our mom, grandma, Gigi, was a legend who will be forever missed. She always claimed to be short in stature, but big in heart. We can confirm that what she lacked in height, she made up for in spirit and spunk. Doris had a love for writing poetry, reading, sparkly jewelry, crossword puzzles and making others laugh. More than anything though, she loved her daughter and grandchildren, who loved her infinitely and will miss her forever.
Doris is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Rush, of Sioux Falls SD; one grandson, Kevin Rush of San Diego CA; three granddaughters: Shannon (Jon) Rodrigue of San Diego CA, Kerry (Dustin) Olson of Sioux Falls SD, and Megan (Curt) DeJong of Sioux Falls SD; and ten great-grandchildren: Tyler, Thomas, Katelyn, Sydney, Kelsey, Ryan, Tommy, Nicholas, Ashlyn and Madison. She was preceded in death by her parents and her “favorite” son-in-law, Tom Rush.
Doris’ family wishes to thank Dr.Todd Sorensen and his staff for their excellent care of our beloved mom and grandma. If you were ever on the receiving end of one of Doris' winks, we are grateful to you for your love and friendship. A private family gathering with military honors will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Midwest Honor Flight.
‘Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.’
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Section Columbarium A1 Niche # D32 Inurnment 2021
Contributed on 8/6/21 by 9katz
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Record #: 272536