On July 6, 2023, Doris Dias passed away peacefully after an extended illness at the age of 84.
Doris is preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Earlie Nunn; two sisters, Judy Smith and Barbara West; her brother, Ronnie Nunn; and her son-in-law, John Santos.
Doris was born on February 18, 1939, in Turlock, CA. She was the third of seven children born into a farming life. She and her siblings worked hard but worked together and made beautiful memories. On March 26,1955, at only 16 years old, Doris left her family home to marry Raymond Dias.
It was only a little over a year later when their first daughter, Susan, was born. Life was busy for Doris as she managed farm life and new motherhood. A few years later their family was complete with the birth of their youngest daughter, Sandra. Doris was a devoted wife and mother and was always incredibly hard working and made certain that her girls never went without. She attended every school or extracurricular activity that her children were involved in. Doris continued to support the girls as they entered adulthood and Sandra left to pursue the rodeo and Susan went on to marry and make a home with her love, John.
Later, when the grandchildren were born, Doris loved to spend summer days fishing, exploring and cooking for them. Derek and Corinne tell beautiful, hilarious stories of their grandmother and have so many memories. Never have they doubted her unconditional love for them. Doris was incredibly proud of her grandchildren. And when Doris became a great-grandmother she seemed to become young again. She doted on Alexander, Connor and Rachel until her very last days.
Doris was a deep and multifaceted woman with interests ranging from rodeos and team roping to the Tour de France and John Wayne. She loved a good margarita while listening to the Spanish guitar and would never say no to Mexican food. Doris loved to travel and was able to roadtrip throughout the United States with her husband and their friends. Later in her life she was able to travel to Europe and Hawaii multiple times with her daughters and visited Mexico with her friends.
Described by those nearest to her as “delightfully spicy”, Doris was a shrewd observer and attentive listener. You would be wise not to ask her a question that you didn’t want an honest answer to. She was a woman of strong, well-informed convictions and her opinion would be known.
Doris was also a woman of a deep and quiet faith. In 1966, she began RCIA classes and eventually converted to Catholicism. Raymond and Doris eventually had their marriage blessed by the Catholic Church and raised their children in the faith. As her body continued to fail her, her faith did not. She found immense comfort in the Lord.
Doris is survived by her daughters Sandra Dias and Susan Santos; her grandchildren Derek Santos (Colby) and Corinne Santos; and her great-grandchildren Alexander, Connor and Rachel Santos; her sisters, Freda Gilliam, Deanna Rangel, and Sharon Painter, and many nieces and nephews and countless friends.
A visitation will be held at Allen Mortuary, located at 247 N. Broadway, Turlock, CA from 5-7 pm on Monday, July 17, 2023. A celebration of life will be held at Holy Rosary Church, located at 8471 Cypress St, Hilmar, CA 95324 on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. Donations can be made by visiting their website: www.shrinerschildrens.org/en or by calling them directly at (916) 453-2191.
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