(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, CA) - Doris Lane Perry, the long-time chairwoman of the Rolando Community Council passed away Saturday evening September 13, 2008 from a stroke she suffered on Thursday night.

Brought to San Diego by the Navy in 1962, Doris and her husband E.T. lived in Rolando ever since moving here.  They were married September 13, 1951 in Windsor, Connecticut at Saint Gertrude’s Catholic Church.  They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Blessed Sacrament Church on September 15, 2001, surrounded by friends and family.

“Rolando and all of San Diego have lost a tremendous friend for all that is good about San Diego” said Councilmember Jim Madaffer.  Madaffer had worked with Perry since joining the staff of former Councilmember Judy McCarty in 1993.  He remembered Perry for her tenacity and steadfast involvement to making Rolando and the surrounding neighborhoods the very best.  Madaffer reflected where he last saw her on August 14, 2008 at the recent Redwood Village sign dedication – “she gave me a hug and gave me her opinions – as she always would about things going on in the neighborhood.  She will be sorely missed” he said.

“Community improvement and community involvement were her watchwords" said Judy McCarty, retired 7th District City Councilmember.   “She took the time to personally knock on the doors of new Rolando residents to invite them to community  meetings.  She personally walked the neighborhood to pass out flyers for meetings.  She organized and led the annual Rolando Street Fair.  She gave so much of her time to the Kroc Center and the new College-Rolando Library, among many other activities.  She worked tirelessly to clean up and improve the commercial area. Because of Doris, Rolando became a ‘friendly’ community where neighbors knew and cared for each other.   Always supported by her husband E.T., Doris was the heart of Rolando, and we will miss her greatly,”  McCarty said.

    Doris Perry

"Doris loved the color purple. Purple now lives forever in our hearts as a symbol of the best community volunteer and positive leader ever," said former College Area Community Council Chair and long-time community leader Gary Debusschere.

Over the years, Doris and her community involvement knew no bounds.  She was active in the PTA and Girl Scouts and served for many years as the President of the Rolando Community Council.  Other community interests included service on the Advisory Board to Colina Park, and as a member of the Ray and Joan Kroc Salvation Army Community Center Advisory Board.  For many years Doris staffed the community relations office for the mid-City Police Department.

She and her husband E.T. dedicated many volunteer hours to the Friends of the Library, the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol, Rolando Citizens on Patrol in addition to the Rolando Community Council.

She is survived by her husband E.T., a daughter BJ, a son Ralph and many loving family members and friends. 

A memorial service has been planned at the Joan Kroc Theatre at 4:00pm on Tuesday, September 23, 2008. The Joan Kroc Theatre is at 6611 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92115.