Doris Jean Powell

Doris Jean Powell, age 92, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 4, 2023, in the city of Orange, California. Doris was the beloved wife of the late Leland C. Powell. Doris was born March 9, 1930, in Pataskala, Ohio to Everett and Ruth Heimberger. She was preceded in death by siblings Lee Heimberger, Glenn Heimberger and Grace Keller. Doris graduated from Etna High School in Etna, Ohio in 1948.
She went on to study at The Ohio State University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics, becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree. She was very proud of her academic accomplishments and of being a Buckeye, donning scarlet and grey until the end. During her school years Doris helped at the family farm and worked to put herself through college. After graduating from Ohio State, Doris landed a teaching job in San Diego, California via a telephone interview! Doris packed her car and drove the 2,000 plus miles to San Diego where the day of her arrival she would be introduced to her sweetheart, Leland. They were engaged 9 days later and married the following year. Doris often said that it was like they’ve always known each other. Doris and Leland lived in La Mesa, California while Leland attended engineering school and Doris taught at Grossmont High School and later became the head of the Home Economics department at Mt. Miguel High School. Doris would talk about those days with fond memories of Leland playing the piano while she prepared dinner. They eventually moved to the Los Angeles area to pursue better job opportunities, finally settling in Rancho Palos Verdes where they raised four children, Tanya, Tina, Duane and Tamara. Doris was an avid gardener, she grew a great variety of orchids, sharing cuttings with friends and family. Doris also delighted in cooking delicious meals for the family and making elaborate birthday cakes for the grandchildren. She was an amazing seamstress too, her creations ranged from her own wedding dress to clothes for her children, grandchildren and her granddaughters’ dolls. And also knitting afghans for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren to enjoy.
Doris loved being a homemaker, driving the children to their different activities, helping at their schools and being involved with their drill team and scouting events. Doris was generous with her time, love and resources, opening her home to everyone, doing charity work through the church, taking vacations with her grown children and grandchildren or simply sitting on the floor playing duplos with the grandchildren, playing a mean game of “Chute and Ladders” or rigging the Bingo numbers so everyone could be a winner.
But most of all, Doris loved being married to Leland, her sweetheart, her faithful companion. We rejoice in the fact that they’re together again in heaven. Doris is survived by her four children, Tanya Harrison, Tina Price, Duane (Mariana) Powell and Tamara (Chip) Edson and eleven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.