Obituary

Doris Evonne Day, age 78, of Bellingham, Washington died March 13 with family and friends at her bedside.

Doris was the first of three children born to Elmer and Jeannette Cearley on June 9, 1939 in Prescott, Washington. The family moved to Spokane, Washington in 1947 where Doris learned to milk cows and drive a tractor. In 1950 the family moved to Walla Walla, Washington where Doris attended and graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1957.

In December of 1957, Doris married her High School sweetheart, Leo Day, and shortly thereafter, moved to Long Beach, California while Leo served in the U.S. Navy. They returned to Kennewick Washington in 1961 and resided there until 1965. While in Kennewick, Doris took courses in bookkeeping at Columbia Basin Community College. In 1965, the family moved to Bellingham where Leo pursued his college education, and Doris began her career as an accountant at Columbia Valley Builder’s Supply. Doris worked as an accountant at Columbia Valley for several years until transferring to Georgia Pacific where she retired after 25 years of service. After her retirement from GP, Doris and Leo started and maintained their own cleaning business for several years. After Leo’s passing, Doris took a part-time position at Ryzex Inc. where she made many friends.

Doris loved garage sales, dollar store finds, early mornings, sunshine, Christmas lights all year long, and picnics at Pioneer Park in Walla Walla and locally here at Chuckanut Bay. She loved lilacs, pussy willows, and little birds feasting in bird feeders; she loved her homes on East Alder in Walla Walla and on Harris and Smith Road in Bellingham, and always had her latest “junking” treasures proudly displayed.

Doris loved being “Doris Day.” She took great delight and showed no fear when breaking into a Doris Day show tune in public or in front of strangers. She always felt it her responsibility to provide a short bit of a song and did the name proud.

Her unconditional love and giving nature left us all with a legacy to emulate. Her door was always unlocked and open to family, friends, and strangers. She was never without love. We will miss her forever and our hearts ache with her loss. We love you Doris, Que Sera Sera.
Doris is survived by her three children, Leo A. Day, Lorrie Day Grim (Matt) and Gregory D. Day of Bellingham, Washington; sister Barbara Cearley Chertok of Olympia, Washington; three grandchildren, Stephane Grim Simmons (Scott), Stevi and Jackson Day. Great Grandchildren Matthew and Brooklyn Harris, Jack and Sean Simmons, and Cearley Day Crane, all of Bellingham, Washington; adopted son Frank (Kris) Ennis along with endless special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by husband Leo Day, parents Elmer and Jeanette Cearley, sister Janice Cearley Edwards, brothers-in-law Jeffers Chertok and James Edwards, Forrey Day and sister-in-law Ethel Day McGehee.

Private Family Graveside Service will occur at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 24th at Bayview Cemetery in Bellingham, Washington. A celebration of her life will follow and be held at the Squalicum Boathouse, 2600 Harbor Loop in Bellingham, Washington at 1:00 p.m.

A special thank you to family members, friends, and Whatcom Hospice caregivers who assisted Doris through her journey. Donations may be made to Whatcom County Hospice in her memory. Flowers can be sent on behalf of Doris to 4231 Sucia Dr. Ferndale, WA, 98248 and will be displayed at her Celebration of Life.