Doris Margaret Secor, a 31-year resident of Whidbey Island, passed away Feb. 6, 2007 at Homeplace Dementia Care Center of Oak Harbor where she had been a resident for the past 18 months.

She was born Oct. 6, 1913 in Northfield, Minn. to Helen Kathrine Eimerman and William Fred Pridemore. Doris was the daughter of a machinist and the family moved as her father found work primarily in the Milwaukee area of Wisconsin. She had three sisters and two brothers.

Doris graduated from high school in Milwaukee. She was married to Robert Kreil and from that marriage, two children were born. Her marriage ended in divorce. Doris raised her children as a single mother for several years.

She married Stanley Beligan, a real estate broker in 1947. They eventually moved from Milwaukee to Southern California where they settled in Huntington Beach. She worked for at time at Hughes Aircraft Company, in the building of air-to-air missiles. She worked for 10 years with Newberry’s Department Store as manager of the houseware and pet supply departments. After the death of Stanley, Doris moved her parents to California and cared for them in their final years.

With the death of Stanley, Doris moved to Mountain Home, Ark. to be near her twin brother Floyd Pridemore. She worked as a waitress and then a floral arranger. Doris returned to California, this time living in Victorville. She met Eugene B. Secor who was nearing retirement from Air Force. She and Gene were married in Las Vegas, Nev. on April 26, 1975.

Doris and Gene moved to Bellingham following his Air Force retirement in 1975. After Gene obtained his teaching endorsement at Western Washington State College, now Western Washington University, they purchased property in Greenbank in 1977. They set up their travel trailer and together they built their new home with their own hands.

Doris and Gene had a passion for square dancing which is how they initially met. They were very active members of the Whidbey Whirlers for more than 20 years and were also instrumental in formation of the Flutter Wheels dance club on South Whidbey. She and Gene were also Round Dancers. They enjoyed traveling in their RV to various dance events and for fun nation-wide and became very active in the Oak Harbor Good Sam RV Club.

In addition to dancing, Doris had a passion for crocheting and would spend many evening hours making special pieces for her children and grandchildren.

Doris was a member of the Christian Science Society on South Whidbey and served as a board member for several years. She was also an active supporter of Gene in his role as a member and eventually a Trustee in the Concerns of Police Survivors, honoring fallen law enforcement officers. Her stepdaughter, Park Ranger Catherine Secor, was killed in the line of duty in 2000.

Doris is survived by her husband Eugene Secor at the family home, Greenbank; by two children, Robert Kreil of California City and Barbara Gregory of Cherry Valley, Calif.; and four stepchildren, Daniel Secor of Monticello, Minn.; Susan Secor of Morgan Hill, Calif.; Deborah Secor of Fort Collins, Colo. and Andrea Culler of Hollister, Calif.; one sister Faith Flemmons of Sun City, Calif. and one brother Floyd Pridemore of Mountain Home, Ark. Nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren also survive. She was preceded in death by one stepdaughter, Catherine Secor, sisters June Krueger and Helen Corbett, brother Fred Pridemore and grandson John Gregory.

Doris requested no formal funeral services be conducted. Cremation with private family inurnment will be held. Donations in her memory may be made to Time Together Adult Day Service Program, Senior Services of Island County or to Alzheimer Society of Washington, Bellingham. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.