EDITOR'S NOTE: A few weeks ago, the Anderson's Candy Shop family lost someone very special. Doris M. Speaker, 84, of Richmond, who worked with us for more than 40 years, passed away on January 6. While we were not ready to lose such a light and an example in our lives, we are comforted by memories of her and we benefit from her legacy. Below you will find a tribute to Doris written by my father, Leif (pictured). It expresses not only what a wonderful woman Doris was, but how much of an impact one person can have on another, on a family, and on a business.
Doris has been a part of my life ever since I can remember.
She started working at the candy shop the year I was born in 1950.
She was a member of the same church I went to, was a friend of my parents, and worked for first my father, and then for me for decades.
Only taking a short leave when her first child was born, Doris worked with us almost continually until her retirement in December of 2004.
That Doris would stay working for us for more than 40 years would not surprise anyone who knew her.
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| Doris, in blue, is pictured front and center with the Anderson's Candy Shop crew at an annual Christmas party - late 1990s. |
If you wanted something done well and on time, you trusted Doris, whether that was in the Community Church in Richmond or at work here at Anderson’s Candy Shop.
Doris came to work like clockwork, wouldn't hesitate to work late and was not just an example for other employees; she was the standard-setter.
Doris would help out anywhere and with a great attitude. And she was a tremendous teacher.
She taught countless co-workers - adults and teens alike - with patience and personal attention.
And when it did come time for Doris to retire, she helped pick her successor and would not go until she had trained her the right way!
If you are someone who has enjoyed our standard of quality during the past 60 years, much credit is due to Doris.
When I was in grade school, Doris was one of my many “second Mothers” at the candy shop.
Some were the “stern mother” not letting you get away with anything, some were the "fun mothers" that could joke with you and show genuine interest in a kid’s thoughts and ideas. Some were your secret-keepers, and some were your teachers.
Doris was all of those for me.
If she saw me making a mistake while learning some new skill, she would politely interrupt me and show me a better way.
My brother, Lars, and I would have to report in to the Candy Shop after school on our way home every day and we were not allowed to have much candy.
But I learned that I could stand with my back to the Candy Bar storage shelf and quietly sneak a Pudding bar into my jeans pocket while talking to everybody there.
Doris saw, and would always look the other way.
When I was older and struggled with bigger problems, Doris was there, too.
As a young man, I flunked out of college and had to slink my way back into town and go back to work at the candy shop.
Doris reminded me, in the way that someone who both knows from life experience and who also has my best interests at heart, that it would not do any good to sit and mope about it or hide from it.
She told me, in 1970’s terms, to get over it and get to work.
That people will judge you on what they SEE you doing and how WELL you do it, not on what you did or did not do in school.
She was right.
Doris was a friend -- a true friend.
That seems like an odd thing to say about someone who was my father’s age. But as my brother and I grew into our family business and eventually became Doris’ bosses, she cared every bit as much about how our lives were going and how our kids were doing as she did about those of her age mates.
Knowing Doris for so long, we also got to see her as a real, steadfast friend to others under the most trying circumstances.
She became friend, adviser, and eventually, caretaker to one of her coworkers, Laura Wiedrich.
Laura could be one of the most cantankerous people you have ever met. She was old enough to be Doris’ mother. She never married and had only lived in one house for her entire 65 years.
Laura also had dozens of cats and they all lived inside with her.
Most people could not stand more than a minute in her house. But Doris treated Laura with respect and kindness.
Doris would warn Laura if her wardrobe smelled, she would do her hair for her every month, she would shop with and for her, and, as Laura’s health declined, Doris would drive Laura to appointments.
Doris always treated Laura with dignity.
And, when Laura died suddenly, and I was named executor to her estate, Doris stepped in with immeasurably valuable help and expected nothing in return.
It was the right thing to do.
And you could always count on Doris to do the right thing.
Although it is true that Doris was quite adept at the glasses-down-her-nose glare to reinforce a point, she ultimately had a happy face.
It was a face shaped by years of smiling and good humor, by interest in everyone she met, and always by looking forward with anticipation, not backward with regret, because she KNEW that she could make a difference.
It was an honor to know and be shaped by such a wonderful person. And image is the picture of Doris I will always see, whenever I think of her.
Your thoughts and prayers of support for Doris' family are deeply appreciated. Follow this link for an obituary: http://www.lakegenevanews.net/Obituary-41295.114135-Doris-M-Speaker.html
