Doris was born in Pontiac, Mich., the first of four children, to William George and Emorine “Emmy” Eloise (Jones) Chamberlain. Her father had 3 brothers and a sister, while her mother had 3 sisters and a brother. She grew up enjoying a rural lifestyle that included all those aunts, uncles, and cousins until high school, when her Dad moved the family to California.
Her two marriages included six children and spanned three states and a brief stay in Holland. She married Orville Hersey Pitney, Jr. in 1956, with whom she had Alan Francis in 1959, Karen Gwenevere in 1961, and Lorna Renee in 1963. Later, she married Charles Edward Russell in 1968, who had Edward Dale in 1959, Julie Diane in 1960, and Charles David in 1963. She participated in the children’s activities in numerous ways; administrative duties in Little Leagues, sewing dance recital costumes, hosting scout badge-earning groups, etc.
As an empty-nester, she devoted some twenty-plus years as a volunteer at a hospital near her home in Renton, Wash., where she made many very dear friends.
The turn of the century brought many changes and a few moves to her life. After a short stay in Newport, she settled in Florence for her next chapter. There, she embedded herself within the PCOS congregation and was so honored to be invited and accepted into the Florence DY Chapter of the PEO Sisterhood. The many overlapping communities that welcomed her were always faced with her generous spirit, eager and endless smiles and recognition, the latest movie reviews, well-informed opinions on all the latest issues, and the genuine warmth she always radiated.
Doris was predeceased by her parents, her sister Margaret “Peggy” Phillips, both of her husbands, and three of the children.
She is survived by her sister Donna Kalberg of Idaho, her brother Lawrence Chamberlain of California, her son Edward (& wife Tracy) of Tennessee, daughters Julie Budd of Washington and Gwen Eastland of Oregon, aunts Elaine Chamberlain and Patricia Newlin of Michigan, and many cousins, nephews and nieces. The family is honoring her wishes in not holding a service but would be most grateful to all her friends who might find their own personal way of remembering her. Doris has been loved by many and will surely be missed.
