Doris Horton Thurston
Port Townsend, Wash.
Feb. 24, 1924 – Mar. 7, 2017
Doris Thurston died peacefully at her home in the presence of her children. She was 93 years old.
Doris grew up in Woodland Wash., went to college in Eugene, Ore. and later graduated from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash. in 1989. She raised five children in California, moving to the Olympic Peninsula in 1973, and lived in Port Townsend for the last three and a half decades of her life.
She was a long time member of QUUF (Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship) and engaged in a multitude of community organizations including various community choruses, Weavers' Guild, Northwind Arts Center, Copper Canyon Press, Centrum, the Peace Movement and Hospice. Doris published poems in dozens of journals, magazines and chapbooks, taught haiku at summer workshops in McCarthy, Alaska and hosted haiku and singing groups in her Port Townsend home. She was an accomplished storyteller as well.
Throughout her life Doris expressed her artistic creativity by painting, weaving, photography, writing/poetry, and music. She was known for her beautiful voice and skill at the piano, entertaining people until the very end of her life by playing jazz standards and popular tunes. Doris loved to be outdoors hiking, backpacking, canoeing, and gardening. She placed great value in preserving the natural environment for future generations and was committed to fostering a society that demonstrated compassion for everyone.
Doris was preceded in death by her daughter Marci. She is survived by her children Peter, Andrew, Peggy and Polly; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Her creativity inspired many. Her family and friends will miss her bright spirit, compassionate heart and generous nature.
A Celebration of Doris’s life will be held on Saturday, March 25, from 1-4 p.m., at QUUF (2333 San Juan Ave, Port Townsend). Instead of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to Northwind Arts Center or Copper Canyon Press.
