Doris Bickford Obituary

DORIS EVA (MAY) BICKFORD
May 12, 1920 ~ August 23, 2010
Doris was a wonderful mom and grandma,
a friend to treasure, a loving companion to John
and a warm, kind person who will be greatly missed.
"We love you Grannie B."

Doris Eva (May) Bickford was born on May 12, 1920 in Custer, SD. She passed away Aug. 23, 2010 in Vancouver, WA.
Doris, her husband John and her girls, Cathy, Eva, Vivian and Tessie moved from Newcastle, WY in 1943 so that Doris and John could work in the Vancouver Kaiser Shipyards. She was one of the original Wendy the Welders.
Doris also worked at Jantzen Knitting Mills before working at several local stores, a local bank, she had a flower arranging business and helped John run the Pioneer Feed Store.
As an adult she decided to attend Clark College where at age 50 she received her Associate of Arts degree wanting to be a teacher or librarian, but these plans changed shortly after receiving her degree, John was severely injured in a sawmill accident and she needed to help him in his convalescence as well as keeping the farm running.
Doris then became a valued employee at the Washington State Employment Agency were she worked until her retirement in 1987. She said it was one of the most meaningful jobs she had ever had. She enjoyed the interaction with people and felt deep fulfillment when she was able to help them.
She and John were always busy. They had a working farm including beef and dairy cows, chicken, pigs, and turkeys. They raised strawberries, raspberries, beans and cucumbers for commercial sale. Doris was a master gardener and always available to answer questions about plants, trees or her main love, flowers. John and Doris were an integral part of the original Pioneer Irrigation Group which brought precious water from Lewis River to 15 farms in the Pioneer area.
She was also involved in a variety of organizations. The Pioneer Grange was an important part of her life. She held many Grange offices locally as well as various Pomona Grange offices. She was active in PTA, Clark County Fair and chaperoning Fair Princesses, Democratic Women, and Retired Public Employees. Doris was a participant on several boards and discussion committees about development within Clark County. "If you wanted a job done, and done well, you knew you could count on Doris."
Doris was preceded in death by her husband, John; her daughter, Vivian. She is the last of her family of three brothers and one sister.
She leaves behind three daughters, eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Aug. 28, 2010, 11:00 a.m. at the Vancouver Funeral Chapel. There will be visitation hours on Fri., Aug. 27, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Contributions may be made to the Kaiser Hospice Home Health program or to the Parkinson's Association in her name.
Please sign Doris' guest book at: www.mem.com or www.columbian.com/obits.