On Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019, a wholly devoted Mother, daughter, sister, grandmother and friend, Gloria Ann (Henley) Doro, passed away at home surrounded by loved ones. She was 86.
Born in Wichita, Kansas, to James and Dorothy Henley in June 1932, Gloria and her family moved to Inglewood in 1937, settling in Idyllwild circa 1944. She attended Idyllwild Elementary and graduated from Hemet High School in 1950.
Gloria married the late Richard E. Doro, moving to Mountain Center in 1955 where she operated Doro’s Chalet grocery with her father.
In between raising six daughters and working in the store, she also helped out at the local post office. She joined the USPS full-time in 1972, becoming the postmaster in 1975 and establishing her legacy of service on the Hill. She knew every patron and greeted all with warmth and a smile. After 25 years of spreading joy, Gloria retired to her home in Valle Vista in 1996.
An active and accomplished athlete, Gloria played softball in Idyllwild until 1979, then enjoyed tennis and running in the valley until she joined Valley Wide Senior softball in 1990, notably becoming the sole female playing in the mens league in 1999 until 2015.
She was a member of the Blue Diamonds Women’s tournament softball team, which won silver at the 1999 National Senior Games in Orlando, Florida. She also garnered numerous gold medals in Track and Field, weightlifting and softball in regional area Senior Olympics.
Her service-oriented nature contributed to her American Legion Auxiliary membership until 2016. Gloria’s larger-than-life, loving and beautiful presence will be sorely missed by all.
Gloria is preceded in death by her parents James C. and Dorothy H. Henley; sister Cherie L. Henley; and in-laws Frank A. and Berenice L. Doro.
She is survived by her daughters Debbie (John) McGary; Coni Baird; Jamie Nyswonger; Lori Doro; Sherry Doro and Shelly Doro Thompson; brother Gail C. Henley; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family and friends.
Graveside services celebrating her life are planned for 10 a.m. Friday, June 28, at San Jacinto Valley Cemetery. Online messages and information are available at miller-jones.com.
