Obituary of Doris (Dee) Jones Myslik

Doris Margaret Jones Myslik (Dee Myslik), 12/7/1934 - 8/12/2023

It is with great sorrow that our family announces the passing of our dear mother, Dee Myslik, on August 12, 2023 at the age of 88.  She had a short but challenging battle with Covid, and had her middle son, daughter-in-law and daughter by her side as she went to be in the arms of her loving husband, Rich, who passed in December 2018, and her oldest son, Steve, who passed in May 2023.  

Dee was born Doris Margaret Jones in Jamaica, New York on December 7th, 1934, and liked to say that she was the “proud daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter, sister, wife, mother and friend of veterans!” Other than her father, her beloved husband Rich was her favorite veteran … a Navy man she met at Mineola High School, NY while she was a freshman and he was a senior.  After Rich graduated, Doris remained very active in clubs, played softball and volleyball, served on the yearbook staff and the school newspaper, and was a member of the Honor Society.  She had many friends, enjoyed many parties and outings, but Rich was never far from her mind or her life after he graduated.  They were married May 31, 1953 and welcomed two sons while Rich was still serving; first Steven Richard, then William Edward. 

Doris enjoyed an idyllic childhood, then went on to enjoy an idyllic married life, first on Long Island, NY, with Steve and Bill, adding the third son, John Eric, then moving to Connecticut when the long-awaited daughter, JoEllen Patricia, arrived.  Even with the busy life of raising 4 children, Doris was very involved in church and community life, assisting with many events, fundraisers and was very active in the Mothers Club.  Of course her family was always her priority, supporting her kids through all their endeavors.

After losing her mother to breast cancer, and with her only brother moving to Florida, Doris & Rich decided to pack up their family and move to Florida as well.  Once all the children were in school, Doris began a very varied and successful series of careers, first working at Waterman Hospital, where she found her nickname that stuck for over 50 years: Dee!  Other careers along the way were in the Mount Dora High School guidance office, where she also became the Yearbook Advisor, meeting and remaining connected to many students over the years; managing the construction office of a very busy construction company; and finally in real estate, where she consistently was a million dollar producer (which in those days was a BIG deal!), and was involved in the National Association of REALTORS® as an active member as well as chairing the Education and Program Committees.  She was also quite involved with the beginnings of the East Lake Chamber of Commerce with her dear friend Betty Ann Christian, both serving as Presidents early on. 

During these busy and more mobile years, Dee and Rich loved to travel and enjoyed visiting their children and their families: Steve and Elaine Myslik (children: Carol, Teri, Mischel, Genifer, Magan), Summerville, SC; Bill and Judy Myslik (children: Chelsea, Joshua/wife Annalise), Morrison, CO; John and Kim Myslik (children: Alyssa, Noah), Hendersonville, NC; and JoEllen Myslik (partner: Nico Adel) in San Francisco, CA. She was immensely proud of all of her children and grandchildren and was well-loved by them all.  Family was treasured by both Dee and Rich, and they enjoyed spending time with Dee’s brother, Dick Jones, and his wife, Sandy, exploring new and different places in Florida before Dick’s untimely death from cancer, but Sandy always remained an important part of their lives. Other important family members are Rich’s niece Lori Biegler and her husband Steve (N. Bellmore, NY), who have delighted Rich and Dee over the years with their amazing photography, particularly of birds.  This inspired Dee to keep binoculars at the ready to see what birds she could see out of her windows. 

After Dee and Rich retired, they decided to move to the mountains of Colorado in 1999, which they had always loved during many visits to see son Bill and his family.  Initially living near them, Dee and Rich soon moved down to the foothills to the quaint town of Castle Rock.  It is here where they really settled into retired life, enjoying many visits from friends and family over the years, celebrating over 65 years of marriage, and adopting a sweet little Shih Tzu puppy named Mitzi who is now 15 years old.  Both Dee and Rich began to experience some serious health challenges in 2015 and throughout the ensuing years, but they supported each other through them all, as did their children and families.  Unfortunately Dee lost her beloved Rich in December 2018, but remained strong and resilient to continue residing on her own in their lovely little home with Mitzi.  She even became quite independent with the help of transportation through both Aging Resources of Douglas County as well as the Castle Rock Senior Activity Center, and her friend count grew even larger as she loved connecting with so many people in those two organizations and others.  She was always young at heart, never acting or sounding her age, with a friend group spanning multiple generations. 

Dee was relatively healthy, although quite a few other health challenges began to occur in early 2022, one requiring surgery, but she always came through with flying colors.  So needless to say, it was quite devastating to Dee and her family for her to contract Covid during a time when there was not heightened concern.  We are heartbroken over her loss but take comfort that she is with our father and brother, as well as all of the family, pets and friends that have gone before her, who were undoubtedly overjoyed to be reunited with her.  We are also comforted by all the wonderful memories that we have and that others have shared with us.  Our Mom never met a stranger, people were drawn to her warm smile and engaging personality, and she was an incredible listener and advisor.  She was a very bright light who now shines in the heavens. 

If you so choose, in lieu of flowers, Dee’s favorite charities were:  Evergreen Animal Protective League  (EAPL), Aging Resources of Douglas County and the Castle Rock Senior Activity Center.