Doris Daly

Daly, Doris J Doris Jean Daly passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 12, 2021. She was 93 years old. Doris was born in Webster Groves, Missouri on May 28, 1927. Shortly after her high school graduation she set her sights on "The Big Apple" and moved to New York City. As a young woman, she found work as an Office Assistant and met her husband Daniel Joseph Daly who had returned to NYC after an injury in England that cut his military time short. They married and settled in New Jersey where the first four of their five children were born, Patricia, Kathleen, Noreen and Daniel III. They eventually settled in Kalamazoo, Michigan where their fifth child, John was born. Life became challenging as John was born with developmental disabilities that weighed on both parents. They navigated his journey and he is a kind, charming and courteous individual because of their warmth and support. After a number of years devoted to raising children, Doris began to work as a Teacher's Aide in the Kalamazoo Public School System. She loved that work and was very proud to transition from a stay at home working mother to her new career in education. Life after retirement and John's move to a care home was not easy for Doris. It is important to note Doris' challenges with the manifestation of her mental illness. During this time, she isolated herself from her immediate family. However, she also made new friends, made people laugh and took care of others and eventually she reconnected with all of her children. Dementia brought a certain softness back to her, though she remained feisty in other ways, and her children and grandchildren were able to enjoy her final years with her in their own ways. On a day at her final living space at Waterford Oaks, you could find her cracking jokes with the staff, wheeling around to see what other residents were up to, or enjoying a special "Five Guys and fries" meal. It wasn't an easy road, but Doris was fortunate to overcome the adversities in her life and enjoy her final years with dignity and in good spirits. She is survived by her five children and their spouses, Patricia & Mark Doan, Kathleen Daly, Noreen & Gerry Gibbens, Daniel III & Jennifer Herrera, and John and her grandchildren, Josie & Ross Gibbens, Zoe Sharkey and Danny Jr. Daly. In lieu of flowers, donations came be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) donate.nami.org "Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third." -Marge Piercy