Doris Choriki

Doris Barcarse Choriki was born on October 29, 1937 in Waimea, Kauai, Hawaii. She lived in Hawaii during the WWII era with her parents, Damaso and Jessie Barcarse, and 5 siblings. Jessie remarried Alejandro Tejada and they had 3 children. During the air raid drills, people often sought shelter in caves. Doris was anxious about the potential air raid and also felt panicky going into a cave. She overcame the fear by singing. Her brother, Stan said Doris “used to walk with me two miles every Sunday singing and telling me stories all the way to church”. Music started as a refuge for Doris and became a lifelong passion; a gift which she passed on to her children and grandchildren. Doris' spiritual journey began as a youth. She danced in the Buddhist temple, and attended services at various churches with friends and family. She was moved by her experience at a Billy Graham Revival. Throughout her life, Doris became involved in her church communities by teaching classes, directing choir, volunteering with the homebound and playing her guitar and singing. She was not truly aware of her talent and trusted that the Spirit would carry her. Doris was actively involved in ministries at the Women's Prison with the Homeward Bound weekends and the Family Shelter. She developed a Stephen's Ministry program in Billings which is a lay ministry designed to help people deal with traumatic events. But she was truly gifted in helping people accept death and dying. Her caring spirit and willingness to share her time and talents touched so many lives. Doris married Raymond Choriki on December 31, 1955. They moved to Montana and began a family which blossomed to 7 children and 36 grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ray passed away in 2014, but his presence is still felt. Ray and Doris did more than their share to bring about changes that made Montana a better place, both through the work that they did and the lives that they touched. Doris Marie Choriki's final walk with us ended peacefully on December 7, 2018. She was surrounded by her family who shared their love for her. We will always cherish her loving spirit and forgiving kindness. Most of all, we will miss the sound of her singing “How Great Thou Art”, Ke Akua Mana E. Doris' surviving family members are Danny Choriki, Michelle & Brad Colbrese, Donna & Sidney Ayers, Anthony Choriki, Patrick Choriki, Michael & Misty Choriki and Leilani & Greg Monical and 36 grandchildren and great grandchildren. Surviving siblings are Stanford and Dency Barcarse; Malcom and Betty Ann Barcarse; Marjorie Umuiwi, Toyoko Barcarse, Gwen Barcarse, Leona Fukuyama and Alejandro and Debra Barcarse. She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond, great grandchild, Michael Zachary Whitecrane, Jr.; grandchild, Jennifer Wagoner; her father, Damaso Barcarse; mother, Jessie Tejada; stepfather, Alejandro Tejada and her brothers, Marvin Barcarse, Alan Barcarse, George Tejada, Buddy Umuiwi and Dean Fukuyama. Mahalo, Mom and Dad.