Doris Clark Schley

Doris Schley was born September 6,1929 in Harrisburg Pa. to Matilda andJoseph Clark. She was orphaned at age 7 due to her mothers death and and father leaving the family. There were eight brothers and sisters which were split up but later remained in touch. She grew up in an orphanage, graduated high school and put herself through Villanova in the first class to have women in it,

After graduating she attended St. Agnes school of nursing in Philadelphia receiving her RN. She nursed for a short while and then joined the Navy as an ensign in the Nurse Corps. She went to Newport, RI. for officer training and then to the naval hospital in Oakland, CA., She was then ordered to Guam for a year and then to Japan for two years.

She then returned to San Diego to Balboa Naval Hospital. It was here that we met, as I was an anesthesia resident at Balboa.We dated for about 6 months and then married in Henderson Texas, my home town on November 3, 1966.

We returned to San Diego where I finished my residency. During this time Doris was a Surgical Nurse, ran the surgical building and taught 2 years in the Navy Corps School. I was then sent to Viet Nam and Doris was sent to Midway Island. While she was there she served as President Nixon’s nurse when he met the president of Viet Nam. She was offered a position in the Kennedy White House but declined as she wanted to nurse not be an escort.

Back in San Diego she became pregnant with our son and had to resign after 20 years as they would not allow pregnant women remain in the service. She gave birth to two beautiful children two years apart, Lorenzo and Theresa. She then joined the Army reserve and served for many years retiring a Lt. Colonel.

From there she began another nursing career at Kaiser Hospital for 18 or so years. All in all she nursed for about 55 years. The artist in her came out with the children. She began with ceramics and graduated to remarkable large porcelain victorian dolls. She completed over 60 and won blue ribbons at various shows. She was still working on some dresses when she became ill with Pulmonary Fibrosis. This coupled with her diabetes was her terminal illness.

She was a remarkable woman. A mother, Nurse, Wife Artist and Military Officer. It is imposable to count the number of people she helped and brought joy to in her lifetime. I, for one, will miss her more than anyone will ever know. After 49 years of marriage, some smooth and some rough, I cannot imagine yet being without her watching over her family. I, however, an sure that she still is, more than ever, as she walks with the Angels.

A Memorial Service is planned for Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 10:00 AM at St. Agnes Catholic Church at 1140 Evergreeen St., San Diego, CA. A Committal service will follow the mass at Miramar National Cemetery at 12:30 PM, with Military Honors.

I would like to suggest that donations be sent to the Wounded Warrior Foundation in lieu of flowers.

Jenkins L. (Mike) Schley

Husband and Best Friend