In Memoriam: Doris Thomas

On Feb. 21, 2018, Doris Thomas went to be with the Lord. Doris and her husband Bill purchased their first Canyon Lake lot in 1968 and created lasting memories over the last 50 years with the Canyon Lake community. They were married on June 25, 1950. They raised four daughters in Downey, California, and spent many early years camping, boating and water skiing in Canyon Lake.

Doris and Bill, both of Russian descent, were married in a Russian church in traditional style and were involved in several Christian Russian organizations of Russian heritage. The organizations help provide many youths with school scholarships and maintained their friendships among other families whose ancestors left Russia in the early 1900s to escape religious persecution during the Czarist times to come to America for their exercise of “Freedom of Religion.”

Upon Bill’s retirement from the City of Los Angeles in 1983, they built their first home on Sloop Dr. where they lived while building their current waterfront home.

Doris worked for the Elsinore School District where she served 12 years as a librarian and helped open the Terra Cotta Middle School Library.

They enjoyed many years of world travels, visiting every continent except the Antarctic in their retirement. They also created countless memories with family and friends at their home.

During her years in Canyon Lake,  Doris was involved in many organizations and events, including being a “Charter Member” of the Canyon Lake Yacht Club and helping in the annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights and Fiesta Days, the Woman’s Club, Ladies of the Light House, Travel Club and Home Owners Club.

Doris, an avid gardener, enjoyed spending time outdoors tending the beautiful landscape she and Bill created over the years.

They both attended the Canyon Lake Community Church along with their traditional Russian family church and together developed many long-lasting friendships over the years.

Doris and Bill have always considered Canyon Lake a “Bit of Paradise” and now Doris now resides in “Heavenly Paradise” and will be missed by family and friends who have been blessed to know her as a Christian, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many.

A private service was held on Feb. 27.