Obit: Doriot, Gladys Ann (1934 - 2011?)

Contact: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Doriot, Grimm, Harbour

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, March 14, 2011, online edition

Doriot, Gladys Ann (Grimm) (December 10, 1934 - 2011?)

Gladys Ann Doriot passed away peacefully with all of her family at her side in the family home of 41 years in Ridgefield, Wash.

Gladys was born December 10, 1934 to Alvin and Clara Grimm in the Town of Chelsea near Medford, Wis., and grew up on the family farm.

Gladys was confirmed in the Medford Evangelical Lutheran Church on June 5, 1949. Soon after her graduation from high school with Medford High's class of 1950, Gladys traveled to visit family in Okanogan, Wash., where she worked a short time as a waitress at a local diner.

During a visit home to Medford, she met James M. Doriot, the man who would become her husband, and father of her four children. They traveled together during Jim's time as a welder on the transcontinental pipeline. After an injury during that venture, Jim sought work in the lumber industry. The winds of fortune took them to Wisconsin, Virginia, Nevada and finally Bend, Ore., where all four children were born. Seeking new opportunities, Jim was recruited to a position as a mould operator and knife grinder with Pacific Wood Treating which he accepted and moved his family to Ridgefield, Wash.

When her children were of school age, Gladys began her second career driving school bus for the Ridgefield School District. She moved from driver to secretary of transportation and finally to director of transportation for the Kalama, Woodland, Ridgefield and LaCenter School District Student Transportation Co-op (KWRL). Gladys served as president for the Washington Association for Pupil Transportation during 1986-1987, served on its Board of Directors from 1987 to 1992 and was recognized for 30 years of outstanding service upon retirement in 2002.
Gladys's love for the people and city of Ridgefield inspired her and her close circle of friends to found the Ridgefield 4th of July celebration and the annual Easter egg hunt. These celebrations have grown to become highly anticipated annual events, attracting thousands of visitors to Ridgefield each year. Gladys was also a founding officer of the PWT Federal Credit Union.
In 1978, Gladys was diagnosed with breast cancer. Refusing to let cancer define or dictate who she was or what she did, she soldiered on despite years of treatment and recurrences.

Gladys ran for an elected position on the Ridgefield City Council, was elected and certified on November 21, 1991 where she served for 17 years. Concurrently with her job as transportation director, a department of transportation third party commercial driver's license examiner and city councilperson, Gladys served on the Board of Directors of CTRAN. In recognition of her exemplary community service, Gladys was honored with Ridgefield's 2002 Outstanding Citizen award. That same year, Gladys was appointed by the Ridgefield City Council to the position of mayor of the city and served two terms faithfully until 2006 when health issues dictated she retire. Not one to accept retirement without a fight, Gladys went on to volunteer with the American Red Cross.

Travelers at heart, Gladys, Jim and family spent most summers at the family farm in Medford, Wis. These were the best of times, spent with her mom and dad and many other family members, fishing, camping and enjoying the many scenic vistas these journeys afforded. During the years in central Oregon, she spent many days searching for Indian arrowheads. Her large collection bears witness to her success. Her fondness for Native American Indian culture is proudly displayed in the artwork and artifacts she collected and displayed in her home. During her years traveling both personally and in her official capacities, Gladys was fortunate to have spent time in nearly every state in the continental United States. She had an exceptional fondness for the city of New Orleans, especially Bourbon Street and its people, and enjoyed her visits on numerous occasions.

Finally, early in 2010, her physicians had exhausted all reasonable treatment options. Gladys then did what she has always done; she lived each of her remaining days with zest and dignity.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, James M. Doriot, and is survived by her uncle, Everett Grimm of Middlebury, Ind.; two daughters, Lorie A. Harbour of Willow Creek, Calif., and Cathy L. Doriot of Ridgefield, Wash.; sons, Tracy O. Doriot of Washougal, Wash., and Orrin L. Doriot of Ridgefield, Wash.; grandson, Brandon M. Doriot of Everett Wash.; and five great-grandchildren.

At her request, services will be held Saturday, March 12 at 1 p.m. at Ridgefield United Methodist Church at 1410 S. Hillhurst Rd., Ridgefield, Wash.

The family would like to offer a very special thanks to all of the angels of Kaiser Hospice that made the final months at home so comfortable. We respectfully request charitable donations be made in her name to Kaiser Hospice, 2701 NW Vaughn, Suite 140, Portland, Ore. 97210-5344.

Note: Death date was not published with obituary.