In Memory of Dori Devries

by Roz King and Carol Wood

 A Life Well Lived

Dori passed away on June 16, 2024. She was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in early June 2023 and was given a 3-month timeline but she denied any treatment to enjoy her time. During this past year, Dori continued to '' live”, keeping in touch with her many friends as much as possible and spending time with her 2 sons, their families, and her partner David. Dori’s grandson Dustin who lives in San Diego told Roz, “She loved everyone and there was not a hate bone in her body. She got me into tennis and was always there for me”.

Her early partner was Carole Shields, later Lyn Tietz, followed by Belmar Gunderson, and then lastly Roz and Carol. Dori and Carol Wood always moved to the next age level together and would be dominant partners. On those occasions Dori would stay in the East with Carol, she loved the ocean. Dori was great fun to travel with on cup teams, during US tournaments, or non tennis adventures. One of Roz’s fondest memories is traveling in New Zealand with Dori in a “mobile home” with a stick shift after winning another team championship. The stick shift was ''no problem” for Dori. They both brought along components for their favorite after-tournament drinks. Roz had her martini and Dori had her brandy and coke. Dori always carried her little brandy flask and often shared the contents with Carol and probably others.

She was a serious and disciplined competitor and amassed a total of 87 gold balls in singles and doubles. We were lucky to play on many US National Cup Teams with Dori. She played on over 18 teams, almost all of which won World Team Championships. She also won 5 individual World Championships, four in doubles and one in singles. Dori was inducted into the Northern Cal HOF. Dori always loved to dress in a new tennis dress for finals. Roz and Dori often met in the finals, where they would warm each other up and would celebrate together whoever was the winner.

What has been so peaceful in celebrating Dori and her passing is that she did a wonderful job of helping us accept her inevitability. She planned a family gathering early on and she made a point of attending a few tournaments to see old friends. “I have had a good life and done most of the things I wanted to do. I have been Blessed!” She faced Victory and Defeat with GRACE.

We were so Blessed to have her as a friend and in our lives for so many years.