Obituary: Briley, Doris “Dode”
(Age 91)
Of Spokane, WA passed from life on April 19, 2016.
Doris Mae Nelson was born in 1924, the tenth child of Laura and Carl Nelson, who emigrated from Hjorring, Denmark.
Doris graduated from North Central High School in 1943 and started working for the Transportation Department at the Galena Army Air Corps Base (later Fairchild AFB).
As a teenager and twenty-something, Doris played the piano and sang in a band with her beloved brother and sister, Buddy and Betty Nelson.
They played in nightclubs throughout the area and regularly performed for servicemen stationed at Galena.
Shortly after World War II, Doris met her future husband, Robert ‘Bob’ Briley, who served in the Pacific Theatre in the Army Air Corps.
They were married in 1947.
Doris supported Bob throughout his long broadcasting career and was a nurturing and dedicated mother to son Bob Briley, Jr. and daughter Robin Briley.
Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, both kids say Doris was the ‘June Cleaver’ of their Shadle Park neighborhood.
Doris passed her passion for music to Bob Jr. and enjoyed having his 70’s rock band, Mr. Goodbar, practice in their basement.
She also loved the sport of figure skating and spent countless hours watching Robin skate.
Doris was a dedicated volunteer for the Lilac City Figure Skating Club, where both her children and two grandchildren skated.
She was a big sports fan in her grandchildrens’ lives, never missing hockey, football and baseball games or skating competitions.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years and her nine brothers and sisters.
She is survived by her son, Robert, Jr. (Elaine), daughter Robin (Jim), grandchildren Brett, Jared, Kristin and Casey, and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral will be held Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 10:00am at Riplinger Funeral Home, 4305 N. Division, Spokane, WA.
Interment will follow at Riverside Memorial Park.
A special thanks to Hospice for their care and compassion for Doris in her final weeks.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Spokane.
RIPLINGER FUNERAL HOME, Spokane, WA