Maurene Fife Dorris
Maurene, a long time Downey resident, passed away peacefully early in the morning on May 23 with her 4 children at her bedside. She was born to James Milton and Nellie Coombs Fife in Rexburg, Idaho. The family moved to Riverside, California in 1929, where she resided until she left for Stanford to attend nursing school in 1943. She married Mortimer Dorris on September 27, 1946. They were married for just over 74 wonderful years when Mort predeceased her in January 2021. They met in Spanish class in 7th grade having staring contests across the classroom. It was never revealed who was the better starer.
Maurene was in the Nurse Cadette program at Stanford but the war ended before she could serve. She graduated with a BS in Nursing in September 1946. While she was in school, Mort was in the Army Air Corp serving in the Pacific Theater. They exchanged 723 letters during that time and saved each and every one. The family spent many fun hours reading these letters with Mom. She worked briefly as a nurse before moving to Downey in March of 1952 and starting a family. She was active in PTA and in leading Girl Scout troops and events in Downey for many years and was an important role model to many young girls. She won awards for her contributions to both PTA and Girl Scouts.
She lived a life full of love, family and adventure. Many family trips were taken to the lake for beach camping and water skiing. The only time she really enjoyed cooking was while camping. Many weekends were spent at the family beach house in Balboa where she spent many happy hours with family, making jigsaw puzzles and playing cards. She loved gardening and had flower beds full of gerbera daisies. She took cooking and sewing classes and sewed many of her children’s clothes including wedding dresses and formals. During her Girl Scout days, she went hiking, backpacking and rappelling. She organized the Mojave Primitive Encampment for junior high age girls. She lived overseas in London, England and Jubail, Saudi Arabia while Mort was working abroad. She was able to travel to many parts of the world with Mort and friends.
She has had an active part in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her three daughters Kathleen (Lars), Jeanette (Richard), Cynthia (Rick) and son Mort (Julie), 7 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren and brother Blaine Fife.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to https://www.girlscoutsLA.org to honor Maurene’s long involvement with the Girl Scouts.