Doris Tomorsky

While living a life that spanned nearly a century, Doris Tomorsky touched the hearts and lives of so many within her reach. With her unwavering faith as her constant companion, she embraced both the great joys and the deep sorrows as part of Gods perfect plan for her life. Doris was a nurturing and devoted mother, but being a grandmother just may have been her favorite part of the whole deal. Even into her sunset years she maintained an active lifestyle and in her opinion, there was nothing that a little retail therapy couldnt fix. Although life will never be the same without Doris here, her friends and loved ones will be forever grateful for having been blessed by such an extraordinary woman. The early part of the 20th century was a time of great trial for America as we struggled to find our way. Unsafe working conditions were commonplace and without any laws to protect our children, it was often the youngest generation who paid the highest price. Nestled within this difficult time was the year 1916 that boasted of unspeakable joy for one bustling family from Muskegon, Michigan, as they were pleased to announce the birth of their healthy baby girl. Doris Ann was welcomed into the arms of her parents, Alexis and Malvina (Thompson) Laurin, and was the youngest of seven children in her family. Sadly several of her brothers died when they were very young, which left her to be raised alongside her two sisters, Lucille and Margaret, and her brother, Adrian. Doris and her family lived in a home at 1285 Fifth Street in downtown Muskegon, and she was raised to embrace the Catholic faith. The Laurin family was members of St. Jeans Catholic Church, and all the children attended school there as well. Doriss mother was very strict and insisted that her children attend church several times a week, although Doris was known to sneak out from time to time to socialize with her friends instead! After graduating from St. Jeans High School, Doris was ready to embark on the next phase in her lifes journey. She found work at Sealed Power, and it was around this same time that she met the young man who stole her heart. His name was Andrew Tomorsky and they met at a dance. Both Doris and Andrew loved to dance to the music of the many big bands that came through town. A dating relationship ensued and after falling deeply in love, they were married on November 23, 1939. The newlyweds initially settled into Doriss parents home. It wasnt long before they welcomed their son, Thomas, into their hearts and home in 1940. They then moved to Lakeside.He was followed by Sally in 1942, Mary Ellen in 1945. The growing family eventually moved into a home on Mason Ave where Jan was born in 1953. Doris stayed home to raise the children while Andrew worked hard in order to provide, which meant working more than one job at times. She was involved in the lives of her children, and together she and Andrew imprinted the fundamentals of the Catholic faith upon their hearts. They attended St. Jeans as a family, and all of her children went to school there as well. In the early 1960s the active family returned to Lakeside where Doris had always loved living. They enjoyed memorable family vacations to Uncle Joes cabin in Brethren, Michigan, and they later took family vacations to Round Lake, eventually purchasing their own property on Emerson Lake. The memories the whole family made at the lake through the years were priceless. Together Doris and Andrew were members of the Elks and the Knights of Columbus. They continued to love dancing together and they were an amazing pair, too, as people often cleared the floor just to watch the two of them. They also taught their children to dance. In the late sixties Andrew was transferred to Detroit, so the family moved there for the three years that followed. From there they moved to Traverse City for one year before returning to Muskegon when Andrews health began declining. Doris was deeply saddened with his death in 1971, and she remained single throughout the rest of her life. As one who liked to stay busy, Doris worked as a clerk in the lingerie department at Hardy Herpolsheimers until she retired. She remained an active part of her childrens lives and was thrilled to dote over her grandchildren as well. Doris regularly babysat her grandchildren and even took vacations with her children and their families including a fun-filled cruise. She later moved into Barclay Senior Village where she remained for nearly 30 years. Doris loved reading and spending time out in the sun, especially on the beach. She had two great friends, Rita Shlaffer and Maxine Wiersma, who meant the world to her. As her friends and family can attest, Doris loved to shop, even referring to it as her retail therapy. There were frequent trips to Chicago with her daughters where they shopped and even did a little partying together afterwards. Shopping was something she enjoyed well into her nineties, and was a bit disappointed when her girls went without her. Throughout her life she remained devout in her Catholic faith and regularly attended services at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Although she was plagued by some issues with her hip later in life, she didnt really slow down much until late in her life when she moved into assisted living at Christian Care. A vibrant and fun-loving woman, Doris Tomorsky was a woman who was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She devoted her life to loving those around her and tenderly cared for others with her every breath. With the love of her life by her side for more than 30 years, Doris established the family she loved more than life itself. She leaves behind a brilliant mosaic that will be a lasting treasure in the hearts and lives of those she leaves behind. Doris A. Tomorsky died on Tuesday, December 6, 2011. Doriss family includes her son, Thomas (Debbie) Tomorsky of Scottville; daughters, Sally (Edward) Luick of Muskegon, Mary Ellen (Rodney) Paulin of Muskegon, Jan (Dan) Jungwirth of IL; grandchildren, Joell (Matt) Thompson, Zachary (Mae) Luick, Thad Luick, Rick (Renee) Paulin, Kari (Rick) Singleton; great grandchildren, Emma, Mattie, McKenzie, Meghan, Summer, Tristan, Keegan, Christian, Autumn, Case, Camron; and friend, Maxine Wiersma. Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew; her brothers & sisters; and special cousin, Rita Shlaffer. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, December 9, 2011, 11:00 a.m. and visitation 1 hour prior to the service at St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church with Fr. Thomas Brown officiating. In leiu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Christian Care or Harbor Hospice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.