Doris Marie Rumbutis Baker, R.D.H. was born July 22, 1937 to Stanley and Sophie (Kosowski) Rumbutis in Utica, New York and passed peacefully in her home in Las Cruces, New Mexico where she resided for over 36 years, the evening of August 17, 2023 surrounded by loved ones.
She is preceded by her father Stanley Rumbutis, her mother Sophie Kosowski Rumbutis, her brother Richard ‘Dicky’ Rumbutis and her Cioci (Aunt) Mary Kosowski.
She is survived by her son Ron (Carrie), her daughters, Laura, Carin, Tracy, her sister Jeannie, her grandchildren, Taylor (Gareth), Joe, Zac (Emily), Shara (Regan), Joshua, James, her great grandchildren, Blair, Xander, Rhett, and nephews Tommy and David.
During her childhood she lived humbly with her family in upstate New York. Even after years of leaving New York she emphasized the notion that the only apple worth making pies, sauce or anything else for that matter was the McIntosh. She attended Holy Trinity Elementary School and graduated from St. Francis De Sales High School in Utica, New York. She went on to Eastman School for Dental Hygiene in Rochester, New York and earned her diploma June 4, 1957. The world of Dental Hygiene opened up a world of opportunity for Doris - she believed in the power of higher education and went on to earn her Bachelor’s of Science Health Arts in 1995 from The University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois and her Master’s in Educational Administration from New Mexico State University in December 1997.
Doris was dedicated to her work in dental hygiene and raising her four children. She worked in New York State Public Health, Private Dental Practice Orlando, FL, Federal Research Project in Flint, MI, Hewlett-Packard in Colorado Springs, CO, USAF-Holloman in Alamogordo, NM and Private Dental Practice in Las Cruces, NM. She also served as a Supervisor at the University of Texas in Galveston, TX and went overseas to work in Saudi Arabia for Aramco-Arabian-American Oil Company until she returned stateside and taught as a full time Senior Clinic Coordinator and Lecturer at El Paso Community College and finally retired after teaching at Dona Ana Community College, where she was a significant influence in their Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs.
Doris was a proud member of The American Association of University Women and was highly involved as a member of The American Dental Hygiene Association and traveled around the U.S. as a member of the Board of Trustees for a number of years. Her gentle touch, kind eyes, professional dedication and giving Spirit touched the lives of all she came in contact with. Her students were a source of great pride. She loved teaching and was a passionate advocate for her field of dental hygiene and a fierce protector of her colleagues, students and patients.
Doris was proud of her Polish heritage and Catholic roots. Around the holiday’s the Polska Christmas songs echoed off her walls, scents of babka, pierogi and caramel corn laced the air, a buoyancy of tradition observed by her collection of beloved Nutcrackers. She found solace in attending Our Lady of Guadalupe in Tortugas Pueblo, New Mexico. Since buying her home in Las Cruces, New Mexico in 1985, she has had loyal chow chows protecting her gardens. She was a lover of nature and although she proclaimed she didn’t have a green thumb, greens flourished under her care. She was also an active sports supporter and could always be found with a ‘game’ on the television, sitting on the sidelines of the soccer field or cheering in the stands of an NMSU Aggies game. Yatzee and gin rummy were some of her favorite games and laughter of late night games still echo in the memories of all who dared to play against her. When Doris wasn’t home she was off exploring and traveling. She loved the warm turquoise, clear waters of the Caribbean, enjoyed luxurious cruises and sea breezes, the espresso throughout Italy, the German countryside and castles, the tulips in Holland, the trains in France, the shopping in Hong Kong and Thailand and the jungles of Cypress.
She also had a deep appreciation for the cultures and natural beauty that abound in the Southwest. She often took her children and later her grandchildren camping and exploring. She frequented some of the treasures of the Southwest such as the Gila Cliff Dwellings, City of Rocks, White Sands National Monument, Chaco Canyon, Canyon De Chelly, Heron Lake and Three Rivers. Epic tales of rainstorms that shook the ground, glue like mud, s’mores, catching ‘sharks’ while fishing, ice cold plunges with promises of banana splits and the magic of campfires under the stars will be retold for generations within her family.
Doris instilled service to the community, beauty in all its forms, and adventure. She believed in living a life worth remembering. While she certainly faced her fair share of heartache and loss she could always find things to be grateful for - a plate of green chile enchiladas from Nellie’s Cafe, the sounds of the cooing doves in her birdbath, the warmth of the sunshine, the swirls of cobalt and crimson in a watercolor and the appreciation and warmth of her loved ones. Doris was immensely grateful for the care her children took of her and the ability to remain in her own home. Doris will be deeply missed and forever held in our hearts - may her memory be kept alive by recounting the love, laughter and epic tales of her gracious, breathtaking and astounding soul.
Please join her family in celebrating the life of Doris, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, October 14, 2023 at Getz Funeral Home 1410 E. Bowman Avenue, Las Cruces, NM, 88001. In honor of Doris’ joyous spirit, please come dressed in your brightest colors, no black necessary. Doris loved wearing her Adidas gear too!
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Houston Chow Chow Connection.
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