Doris Arlene (Crites) Bricker

Doris was born on November 27, 1930, as Doris Arlene Crites in Owasso, Michigan. She was born to parents Howard and Mildred Crites and was raised lovingly by her mother, father, and stepmother, Noriene, along with her brother Glen, and sisters Marge and Lucy. Vivacious and adventurous, Doris graduated Owasso High School and began her career at a local bank, where fate would soon connect her with her husband, William H. Bricker.

Doris and William were married on April 30, 1955, and spent the next five decades raising four beautiful children, traveling the world, creating life-long friendships and beautiful memories, and finding adventure and joy wherever they were. Doris will always be remembered as a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She especially doted on her grandchildren, always making time to talk and listen to them, teaching them to surf on cardboard boxes down the Montana hillsides, play hide-and-seek among the fir trees, how to make the perfect Christmas cookies, and later as adults, how to properly pour a glass of wine (lots of ice).

Doris will always be remembered as a true friend by all who knew her, with her kind heart, genuine smile, open arms, patience, and bold laughter. She was always the life of the party, standing out as the most fashionably dressed — usually with a signature jeweled brooch, and if outside, her bright red ladybug sunglasses. Outside of her family and friends, Doris was a talented artist who loved to paint landscapes and still life with vibrant colors that matched the bright smile and happy feelings she always shared with everyone she met. In addition to painting, Doris lived her life to the fullest with a passion for art, reading biographies and timely romances, and spending time with family and friends going hiking, fishing, shooting, boating, swimming, and exploring. Never once in her life did she not appreciate the moments life has given her, and always, were her arms open for comforting hugs.

Her greatest gifts to all who knew her will be the love and openness for the joy she generously shared, her strength and resilience, and her unwavering ability to always choose to appreciate the good and wonder of the world, even in the darkest of times. She was courageous, gentle, funny, spirited, bold, fearless, and more than anything, immensely loving.

She is survived by her sister, Marge Kirby; daughter, Susan Vujovich; sons, Jeff, Thomas, and Patrick; grandchildren, Alexa, Sarah, Daniel, and William; and beloved dog, Bella. She was preceded in death by grandson, Jonathan Bricker. Doris will be deeply missed, but her family is comforted by the knowledge that she is now reunited with their father, her loving husband of nearly 51 years, William H. Bricker, who also preceded her in death.

A rosary will be held Sunday, December 17 at 5:00 PM by Father James of St. Rita’s Catholic Church at the Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 18 at 11:00 AM at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home with visitation with the family afterward.

In place of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association at https://www.heart.org/ as this was a cause near and dear to Doris’ heart.