With profound sadness we announce the passing of Doris Moots, our loving mother, on March 1, 2022. Doris was Born March 19,1930 to Clifford and Leona (Griffith) Wertz in Salina, Kansas, where she also attended elementary school and graduated from high school in 1948.

Doris was a gifted and dedicated musician. She began piano lessons at 7, flute lessons at 9 and music became a vocation and lifelong avocation. Upon graduation from High School, Doris attended the University of Kansas, Lawrence, where she studied music for four years, participated in summer programs at Interlochen, Michigan as a scholarship student and graduated Bachelor of Music cum laude in 1952 at Marymount College, Salina. Doris then began two years of graduate studies in music at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

While living at the University of Illinois and working as organist in the Episcopal chapel on campus, she met her first husband, Sam Criss. They were married in 1954 and lived in Evanston, Illinois, while Sam attended Seabury Western Episcopal Seminary.

Their first parish assignment after Sam's ordination was Nelson County Virginia where their two children were born. In 1962 they returned to Kansas, living in Winfield, Kansas where Sam became priest of the Grace Episcopal Church. There, Doris raised their family and continued her music education, taking private Organ lessons at Southwestern College, Winfield from 1962-64.

They then moved to Wichita, Kansas, where Sam worked in Campus Ministries at Wichita State University and Doris worked as organist and choir director, first at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 1962-69, 1971-73 and at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 1973-78. She also earned a Teacher Certification in Music at Wichita State University, 1969-71.

In 1974 Doris decided to explore another avenue of interest and began an internship and work, 1974-1978, at Prairie View, a mental health center, in Newton, Kansas. This experience would lead to more study and another degree, Master of Social Work, 1977-1980, from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, and her career with Catholic Social Services in Wichita Kansas and as a therapist in private practice.

Doris and Sam divorced in 1975. Through her work at Prairie View, Doris met her second husband, Frank Moots, where he volunteered extensively. In 1978 they married. Frank loved history and world travel and introduced Doris to many countries and cultures that he had enjoyed in his own adventures. Together, they found their way to many more. Soon after their marriage, they were among the first tourist from the west to visit China. Doris became quite passionate about travel and would continue her own travel adventures after Frank died in 1992 and for as long as she was physically able.

Doris retired from private practice in 2004 and soon moved to Vashon Island, Washington to be closer to her son Peter Criss. On Vashon she enjoyed her new home and garden, and quickly made new friends at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit and in the Vashon community.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Leona Wertz and her husband Frank Moots. She is survived by her children; daughter, Lisa Griffin and husband Nelson Griffin II of E. Bernstadt, Kentucky, son Peter Criss and husband Brian Fisher of Vashon Island, Washington, grandchildren; Nelson Griffin III and wife Mandie Griffin of Bruce Crossing, Michigan, Dustin Griffin of E. Bernstadt, Kentucky and great grandchildren Julie and Mike Griffin.

A private ceremony of internment will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit Memorial Garden. A celebration of life is planned for later in 2022. Donations in memory of Doris may be made to the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust.