Doris Elaine Wallstrom

Doris Elaine Wallstrom, 92, longtime resident of Arcadia, California, died peacefully in her sleep the morning of September 4, 2019, after a long illness. She was born at home in Detroit, Michigan, on August 15, 1927, the seventh of eight children, to John and Alma Rylander.

Doris received her RN at Henry Ford Hospital, and met her future husband, Ira Wallstrom, MD, at Detroit Receiving Hospital. They married in 1953 and moved to Seattle, Washington, where Ira completed a surgical internship and Doris received her Bachelor's degree in Nursing from the University of Washington.

After their first child, Carol, was born, Doris and Ira served for five years as medical missionaries in Iran with the United Presbyterian Church. Another daughter, Randi, and a son, Timothy, were born in Iran. Their youngest, James, was born while they were home on furlough.

The Great Commission was dear to Doris' heart. She was particularly dedicated to the establishment of Providence Mission Homes in Pasadena for the housing of missionaries home on furlough. She was also enthusiastic about supporting the founding of the US Center for World Missions in Pasadena.

Doris was a gifted musician, playing piano, organ, and violin. The home that she created for her family was a joyful one that was filled with music. She was the church organist at Westside Presbyterian Church in Seattle and played the piano for evening services at Lake Avenue Congregational Church in Pasadena.

Doris was actively involved in her churches, whether it be the Salvation Army in her youth in Detroit, West Seattle Presbyterian, Arcadia Presbyterian, or Lake Avenue Congregational. She was active in Encouragers and Voyagers and Mariners, leading them from time to time with Ira. At Arcadia Presbyterian she taught the Bethel course, taking her students through a two-year study of the Old and New Testaments. She returned to school in her 60s to learn Old Testament Greek and study theology at Fuller Theological Seminary where her professors wrote that she was a natural theologian. Doris loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Doris was known for her "Christmas" letters (they could arrive any time of the year). Rather than bragging about her kids or the highlights of the year, she wrote about the mundane (a vacuum salesman dumping dirt on her white carpet shortly before guests arrived, or her efforts at using a plumber's snake for a plugged drain), and somehow turned these events into philosophical musings that would always circle back to her gratitude for friends and for her Savior. She saw the hand of God in everything.

Doris created a beautiful and welcoming home, and wanted to use it to serve others. She offered her home for church and children's activities, hosted short-term visitors and long-term guests, and organized many memorable events in her home. She enjoyed creating celebrations, each of them one-of-a-kind. She celebrated with flair: silver and candles; flowers and decorations; favorite dishes and signature recipes; playing the piano and singing together; arranging a skit, a guessing game, a heartfelt story, or a slideshow. There was always something original, unique, and long-remembered.

Doris felt that her most important calling was to be a wife, homemaker, and mother. She loved being a mother to her four children, and raised us with all her heart, intellect, talents, and energy. She continued to guide and encourage us as we became adults, and we were always welcome to come home. All of us feel that she was not only a dear parent, but also a best friend.

She is survived by her children, Carol Wallstrom, Randi Wallstrom, MD (Howard Takiff), Timothy Wallstrom, PhD (Leslie), and James Wallstrom, MD (Melissa). She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Sarah Wallstrom, Rachel Wallstrom, Miriam Wallstrom, John Takiff, and Grace Takiff, and her brother, Marvin Rylander. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Ira Wallstrom, MD.

The family would like to thank Marjorie and Shelley, the wonderful helpers who cared for her at her home in Arcadia, and the incredible caregivers at My Home in Tujunga, the residential care facility where Doris lived the last nine years of her life as a progressive muscle disorder weakened her physically and her once brilliant mind faded away. Mark, Youlanda, Merla, Raquel, Carlo, Estrellita, Krisha, Anna, Kentucky, Sonny and others became family to her and we will always be grateful to them for treating her with such love and kindness.

Services will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Doris can be made to Providence Mission Homes, PO Box 40727, Pasadena, CA 91114-7727.