On Saturday July 25th we held a service to celebrate the life of Doris. Many of her family and friends gathered virtually to pay respects and share stories and memories of her wonderful life, love and friendship.

Later in the evening we were visited by so many family and friends from near and far that drove by to see us for a socially distant reception line. It was apparent how many lives she really touched by the showing of family, friends, neighbors and friends of her children. We felt incredibly blessed and full of gratitude, but mostly felt Doris smiling down on all of us. 

We ended the evening lighting sparklers in honor of Doris. We know that she will continue to shine bright in heaven looking upon us, always. 

Doris Chang passed away peacefully at Somerford Place, on July 9th, 2020, at the age of 77. Doris was the 11th child of 12, born November 29, 1942, to Men Coon Fong and Yek Yip Fong, in Sacramento, CA. Doris grew up and went to school in Sacramento, CA before marrying Freeman Chang and settling down in Stockton, CA. She worked as a hairdresser before deciding to stay at home to raise her children, Matthew and Kimberlee. Once they were in college and high school, Doris worked as a preschool teacher’s aide, retiring from Brookside Elementary in 2003 after 5 years of service.  She was an active member of the Chinese Christian Mission and later First Baptist Church. She enjoyed cooking, crafts, bowling, traveling and gatherings with family and friends. Doris is survived by her husband Freeman of 52 years, sister Mary Huey (Hong Huey), brother Ernest Fong (Jean Fong), son Matthew Chang (Sara O’Mohundro), daughter Kimberlee Chang Mendes (Mark Mendes), granddaughter Kyla Mendes, grandson Xavery Mendes and goddaughter Briana SooHoo. She was preceded in death by her parents Wilbur and Alice Fong, siblings Chee Soong Fong, George Fong, Franklin Fong, Adam Fong, Evelyn Fong, Edwin Fong, Lillie SooHoo, and Jane Wong.

In honor of Doris, we hosted a special luncheon at Somerford Place, to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the wonderful care they provided to her in the last years of her life. Doris had a passion and a gift for bringing people together over great food and fellowship. She loved to cook and bake and would put care into every detail from the menu to the presentation. With the help of her daughter n' law, Sara, goddaughter Briana, niece Sherry, granddaughter Kyla and daughter Kimberlee, we put on a luncheon that would make her proud. Thank you to all of the caregivers at Somerford. It is a very difficult, but incredibly important job and we very much appreciate you!