Doris Mae Penaluna passed away on Sunday, July 9, 2023 in Grass Valley with her three children by her side.

Doris was born July 30, 1924 in Byron, Arkansas to Willard and Sylvia (Jones) Wilder. The family moved to Yuba City, CA in 1929. When Doris was in her senior year of high school, they moved to Grass Valley. Doris went to Grass Valley High School for three months and graduated in the Class of 1942. In that short time she met many of her lifelong friends and fell in love with Grass Valley.

After high school, Doris worked at a five and dime on Mill St. When World War II ended, William ‘Stan’ Penaluna, a Grass Valley native returning home from the war, came into the store to buy jeans. Doris sold him the jeans and sparks flew. They were married on June 1, 1946, and had a wonderful life together until Stan passed away in December, 1992.

Doris worked at many jobs and was a highly regarded employee. Her final and favorite job was with Grass Valley Group.

Doris enjoyed camping and fishing. Every Friday evening during the summer, the whole family would pack up and head for one of the nearby lakes for a weekend outdoors. Doris also loved road trips. Twice she went with grandchildren on road trips to 49 states. She wouldn’t go to Hawaii because it involved flying.

Doris often said that to her “family was everything”. What she loved most was being around her children, relatives and good friends that became part of her family. In her last year, she lived at Sierra View Senior Living. She was thrilled that at 98 years of age she was able to make new friends to draw into her family circle.

Doris is survived by her three children; Martha Mills (Al), Marty Penaluna (Terri) and Jim Penaluna (Lori). Grandchildren; Hap Penaluna (Aurora), Megan Smith (Rob), Kenny Penaluna and Colleen Penaluna (Steven). Great-grandchildren; Tanner and Logan Penaluna, and Jake, Jesse and Taylor Smith. Brothers; Bob (Arlene), Ronnie (Maria Elena) and Richard (Karen) Wilder. Sisters-in-law; Phyllis Perry (David) and Glenda Lloyd (Ken). She has more nieces, nephews and folks who have been taken under her wing than can be counted.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hooper & Weaver Mortuary.