Doris Donaghue Ferris of Longmeadow passed away Friday August 1 at the age of 94. She was the beloved wife of 71 years of Ted Ferris and the beloved mother of five children: Bill Ferris (and his wife, Cheryl Tromley) of Branford, CT; Don Ferris (and his wife, Sara) of Longmeadow; Jean Ferris (and her husband, Herb Geiling) of Ashfield, MA; Peter Ferris (and his wife, Gail) of Longmeadow; and Kathe Ferris Campbell (and her husband, Steve Campbell) of Longmeadow. She was pre-deceased by three of her siblings, Martha, Clare, and David, but she is survived by her sister Polly (and her husband, Bob). She also leaves 13 grandchildren: Laura Ferris Anderson (and her husband, Matthew), Ellen Ferris Reilly (and her husband Matthew); Andrew (and his wife, Terry) and Timothy Ferris; Luke, Ethan, and Caroline Geiling; Allison, Kimberly, and Nicholas Ferris; and Alethea, Colin, and Bryanna Campbell. In addition, she leaves 5 great-grandchildren: Ellie Anderson; Theo, Isadora, and Mimi Reilly; and Samantha Ferris. Doris also invited various people into her home for extended stays in times of need, and she leaves Rodney Dallape, for whom she and Ted were legal guardians as well. Born in Dorchester, MA, and a graduate of Girls Latin School in Boston and Radcliffe College, Doris lived in Longmeadow for the past 59 years. She taught children with visual impairments in both the East Longmeadow and Springfield Public Schools for over 20 years, often driving into the inner city to teach them in their homes. Both of her daughters were inspired by her example to make a career of teaching young people with special needs. An ardent supporter of all things educational, she encouraged all five of her children to go on to education beyond their university degrees. She was an avid lifelong bridge player both in Longmeadow and in Venice, Florida in later years, transferring her bridge skills to her children and grandchildren as soon as they showed interest. She also accompanied her husband on the golf course into her early eighties. She loved children and she especially loved holding her newborn grandchildren. She also loved the ocean, square dancing, her dogs and her flower garden. She could also be found in attendance at any school games or functions that involved her children or grandchildren. A wake will be held for Doris from 4 to 7 pm on Monday, August 4th at the Byron Keenan Funeral Home, 1858 Allen St in Springfield, Her funeral mass will be at 1:30 pm at St. Marys Catholic Church in Longmeadow, where she was an active member of St. Marys Guild and where she taught CCD for years with her husband, Ted. Burial at Massachusetts Veterans' Cemetery in Agawam will immediately follow the mass. Many thanks go to Crystal, Kathleen, Kristin, Paula, Shelli, and Shirley of Homewatch Caregivers for their gentle, skilled, and compassionate care of Doris and her family, especially at the end of her life. Additional gratitude goes to Mercy Hospice for their ongoing support. Donations can be made in Doris name to the Greater New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at 101A First Ave, Waltham, MA 02451.

[Published in The Springfield Republican from Aug. 2 to Aug. 3, 2014]