Doris June Mady

Doris Shoemaker Mady died peacefully in her sleep on the morning of December 14, 2023, with her daughter, Cyndee, by her side, who took time off work this past year to care for her. They spent quality time enjoying favorite TV shows, meaningful conversations, and dining out whenever possible with friends. She cherished a visit from her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and her daughter, Lisa, and was able to reach out a final time to many of her friends. More concerned with the wellbeing of loved ones, Doris braved her illness like a champion, exclaiming when she went on hospice, “Now I can eat anything I want!” 

Born on July 21, 1935, to Oliver and Gladys Shoemaker, Doris June had an older sister, Norma Jean, who predeceased her birth; and a younger sister, whom she’d proudly held the honor of naming, Linda Lee. Growing up in a family of musicians, it quickly became evident that Doris and Linda were musical prodigies. Linda was a drum major, specialized in clarinet, and went on to become a highly esteemed marching band director in New York. Doris specialized in piano and voice, but could easily pick up and play a violin or accordion without a single lesson. She lived the demanding life of a rising starlet in Hollywood, singing and dancing in troupes and musical theater, while working as an executive secretary at a title company, where she’d ultimately meet her life partner. Little did she know, Doris would leave the glamour of Hollywood behind to embrace the biggest role of her life.  

In 1969, Doris met and married the love of her life, Michael Mady, enriching each other’s lives with their similar intellect and like-minded sense of humor. They adopted each other’s eclectic music repertoire from Dylan and the Stones, to Chopin and Pavarotti. Mike and Doris (aka Bonnie and Clyde) shared a love of food, cooking, entertaining, books, and sports. They had countless inside jokes from favorite movie lines, song lyrics and human experience, injecting them into conversation when appropriate, still evoking a belly laugh from those in the know. Unable to have children of her own, Doris instantly embraced Mike’s two little girls of 4 and 5, becoming the best mom a child could want. In 1971, they moved from Gardena, California, to LaCanada Flintridge, where Doris taught piano and was church organist. In 1998, Mike and Doris retired to Oregon, where their daughters settled soon after. 

Doris is survived by: her Daughters, Lisa L. Mady Buchanan and Cyndee J. Mady; Grandchildren, Jeremy M. DeGonia, Taylor L. Buchanan and Dallas R.M. Buchanan; Great Grandchildren, Adriana and Camila DeGonia; God Children Laurel Plummer Martin and Hal Plummer, and her cat, Bella, who has found a loving home with two of her dear friends. She is reunited with her beloved husband, parents, sisters and other family and friends, until we all meet again.