Doris Arline Colby

Doris Arline Colby, 95, passed away peacefully into the Church Triumphant on August
5, 2026.
Doris was born November 10, 1930 in Springfield, Massachusetts to the late Bertha
Louise Lane and Wilford Ralph Kitchen. After graduation from West Springfield High
School, she married her former husband Gordon Colby and had three children. She was
a bookkeeper and travel agent. Her career as a travel agent took her sightseeing all
over the world. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, and maintaining a meticulous house.
She sung in the choir at First United Methodist Church in West Springfield, MA and
volunteered at Westfield Elementary School reading to children. She was a sports lover
(Go Patriots!) and enjoyed playing tennis and golf. She was an avid skier and was on
ski patrol at Jay Peak in Vermont for many years. She skied until age 87 and wished to
ski until 90. Doris loved being “Nana” to her grandchildren and great grandchildren and
found great joy in teaching them to ski, garden, and sew.
She is survived by her sister June Kitchen Cross and late brother-in-law, John Cross,
daughter Laura Bowden, and sons Gordon Colby (Laura) and Ralph Colby. She is also
survived by niece Sandra Barbieri (Guy), and nephews Jeff Cross (Mary Lou), Eric
Cross (Debra), Ronnie Colby, and Scott Colby, and great niece Ashley Hoyt (Kevin) and
great nephew Bryan Cross (Alex).
She leaves behind six grandchildren: Andrea Colby, Rachel Colby-Butcher (Evan),
Chelsea Monroe (Daniel), Alex Colby (Norah), Larissa Colby, and Colby
VanVolkenburgh (Marilee) and eight precious great grandchildren: Graham Butcher,
Everett Butcher, Owen Colby, Emma Colby, Naomi VanVolkenburgh, Ezra
VanVolkenburgh, William Monroe, and Vivienne Monroe.
She is preceded in death by her former husband Gordon Colby, her brother-in-law Jack
Colby (Jan), and nephew Brad Colby.
Doris spent her final months at Embrace Hospice in Myrtle Beach, SC and the family is
grateful for the wonderful care and love she received there.
A celebration of life will be held on September 19, 2026 at 11:00 am at First Methodist
Church at 901 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC. Doris’s ashes will be scattered
at the top of Jay Peak, VT, a place she loved to ski.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Laura Bowden, earmarked for “Nana’s
garden”, where flowers and greenery will be planted to beautify the existing grounds of
First Methodist Church of Myrtle Beach, SC as Doris found great joy and beauty in
gardening.