Doris M. Cheline

Doris Maxine Cheline (formerly Johnson), long-time resident of Englewood, passed away Sunday, August 28 at Hospice of Metro Denver's City Park Care Center.

Born September 12, 1922 in Longmont, Doris graduated from Englewood High School in 1940.

Doris was married to Ivan L. Cheline, also of Englewood from 1944 until his death in 1990. She spent many years working in finance and then opted to stay at home with her own two children, Anne and Mark, both currently of Highlands Ranch, as well as being a foster parent to dozens of children throughout the tri-county area. She additionally spent several years doing day care. In both roles as caregiver and foster mother, Doris sought to provide guidance to and advocacy for each child that entered her home.

Known to many of these kids as Barney (unrelated to any cartoon character,) many of these now-grown children have kept in touch to present day, sending graduation and wedding announcements (their own and those of THEIR children!) to her.

Doris was a loving mother-in-law to Anne's husband, Richard Martinez, and Mark's wife, Pam Cheline.

She was also a devoted Grandma and sometimes babysitter to Mark's children, Heather Craven of Littleton and Chris Cheline of Highlands Ranch, as well as Anne's son, Joshua Stewart, of Portland, Oregon.

As her brothers, Don and Kenny Johnson can attest, Doris was a lifelong baseball fan who always set up the family World Series pool. Later in life, as Broncomania came over her, she also handled the high finances of the family play-off and Super Bowl pools. Actually, her longtime roommate and honorary family member, Terry, recalls that nearly the first thing she learned about living with Doris was that she is "not very conversational" during her story [Days of our Lives] or a ball game!

Doris loved country music and amazingly converted both Anne and Mark from their rock and roll inclinations to her way of listening.

She was very competitive playing just about any card game, most especially cribbage and most especially against brother Don. She and Don also had 'floating dollar bills' which moved between Englewood and Seattle as the respective Colorado and Washington teams won or lost.

Brother Kenny and his wife Lee were among the few who could coax her out of her home for a meal or a drive to Longmont to see extended family. Having lived in the same home for 60 years, her favorite thing in the world was to be there.

She is missed by us all and remembered for her strength, humor and occasional stubbornness with deep love.

Bullock Mortuary in Englewood is handling her services with a viewing at Bullock Colonial Chapel on Thursday, September 1, 2005 from 12 Noon to 8:00 p.m. Services will also be at Bullock Colonial Chapel on Friday, September 2, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver. Long-time family friend Tim Irvin will be sharing his wonderful voice in song at her service, and son-in-law Richard will play bagpipes at the graveside service. Her grandson, Chris, created a moving video tribute to Doris which will be shared at her service, as well.

Any memories or anecdotes can be posted on this web site (using the link at the top of the page) or sent to Anne at 10237 Song Sparrow Lane, Highlands Ranch 80129.

The family expresses deep appreciation to the staff at Hospice of Metro Denver for the compassion and dignity shown to Doris as well as their support of the family during her time with them.

Friends who wish may make memorial contributions in Doris' name to Hospice of Metro Denver, 501 South Cherry Street, Suite 700, Denver, Colorado 80246.