Doris Larson

Doris Mae Larson passed away peacefully at the age of 83 on January 28, 2010 at Pacific Coast Care in Salinas. Dorry was born July 15, 1926 in Chicago, IL to Robert E. and Marian Loesges but spent her entire childhood in Westfield, NJ. She graduated from Guilford College in North Carolina in 1948 with a degree in Social Sciences. After graduation she worked with the Veteran’s Administration in Washington D.C. where she met her husband of 51 years, Nels Larson who was serving in the U.S. Navy. They married in 1953 and moved to various duty stations on both seaboards. Her favorite, Argentia, Newfoundland left her with many fond memories and stories to tell. She was a true Navy wife. In 1975, upon Nels’ retirement, they settled in Oak Hills where Dorry embarked on her career working with the elderly in nursing homes. She started out as an activity coordinator and finally settled into her career as a Monterey County Ombudsman until her retirement in 1992. Dorry had a lifelong love of horses and competed throughout her youth. She also had a passion for bird watching and volunteered with the Audubon Society. Ever the dog lover, she spent countless hours training her beloved German Shepherd Rocky to compete in the obedience ring. Dorry is survived by her son Peter (Michele) Larson of Burlington, NJ and her daughter Elisabeth Nalesnik of Oak Hills. She is also survived by her 4 grandchildren Christopher, Jennifer, Kirsten and Andrew. Dorry is preceded in death by her beloved husband Nels in 2005 and her granddaughter Austen. At her request, no services will be held. The family requests that donations be made to the Monterey County SPCA, P.O. Box 3058, Monterey, CA 93942.