How do I describe my mother-in-law?  One would be nervous to meet their future mother-in-law.  I however, was greeted and over the years treated as so much more than a daughter-in-law.  I've come to realize that I do in fact have the best mother-in-law anyone could have ever asked for…  She accepted me, loved me and treated me with such respect and decency.  My ‘mom’ Doreen was someone I could always turn to in time of need, hurt, anguish or just anytime I wanted; she’d drop what she was doing and give me all of her attention.  When she became a grandmother, I saw something new develop.  If you could imagine anyone’s heart growing, well hers did.  She beamed with even more love and devotion over her two grandsons.

She spoiled her grandsons plenty.  She showered them constantly with anything and everything they wanted over the years, from the smallest thing like their favorite drinks or snacks, to bigger things like gift cards, gaming headsets, clothing and pricey shoes.  She’d throw parties for them just to celebrate the newest movie coming out.  She supported them in all their achievements and also in their time of misguided faults.  She was a constant at all their school concerts, shows and many of their baseball/soccer games.  Colin and Luke were pure and perfect in every way to her.  She lit up everytime they were around.  She would cater to them and they’d do the same in return.  They love their grandma just as much as she loved them.  They loved going to grandma's house; they’d sleep over, go shopping with her, stop in for lunch or just call to check in with her often over their lifetimes.

I couldn’t do this tribute without mentioning how WONDERFUL a cook my mother-in-law was.  Anything she made was delicious!  Her sauce is top of the list!!  Anything she made in her sauce like cavatelli (my favorite) and ravioli (the boys and Bill's favorite) was amazing.  But just to mention a few other things that particularly stand out to me (and many others that had the opportunity to enjoy her cooking) are her meatballs, meatloaf with rice or pasta, turkey meatball soup (favorite soup in my house now), stuffed peppers, chicken parmigiana (mouth watering right now..), mashed potatoes with her special touch (wink, wink), potato croquettes, and the list can go on..  Along with taking so much pride and joy in not only making her food but serving it and making sure all who ate her food enjoyed it, my ‘mom’ was also just as good at baking.  She made things I’ve never seen before like a chocolate pudding trifle cake that was endless.... seriously, it was about 10 inches high and had layers upon layers of cake, pudding, whipped cream and cherries.  I always felt bad diving into it first as it was just so perfect looking.  Her italian cheesecake was a must at Christmas.  She would make two of them while she was still working: one for Christmas Eve dessert and the other one to share with her school/work family at MS210 to enjoy right before the Christmas break.  I know they looked forward to it every Christmas just as much as our family did (especially my dad who’d take a big chunk of it home to enjoy for days).  She also made delicious spritz cookies in various shapes and toppings for different holidays and of course, her chocolate chip cookies were yumm as well!

My mother-in-law Doreen was an extremely uplifting person and always gave me the push and encouragement I needed.  She was a pure joy to know and be around.  Anyone I speak with about my ‘mom’ says the same thing.  They miss her talks, her laughs and her source of energy.  She never complained.  She took things she was given or dealt (as she’d say) and just rolled with it.  She will continue to inspire me as I move forward with my life.  I will remember all the things she’s overcome and I’ll be sure to follow in her footsteps and roll with it too.

Mom, you will forever be in my head... talking to me as you’d always do... and in my heart... giving me all the love and strength you have over the years.  I love you so much and miss you even more.  Till we meet again... ~ Love Angela

She was one of the kindest people I ever knew.  I don’t think I could ever meet a kinder person than her… She was also one of the strongest women I know. She was always there for me when I needed her and she still will be..  I will love her whether she’s with me or not.  ~ Love from your grandson Luke

She was the greatest person I came across in my 13 years of living.  She went out of her way to do anything and everything to satisfy me.  We created so many memories that I wish I could go back and relive.  To have one more day with her would be priceless to me.  ~ Love from your grandson Colin

To my mom... I want to thank you for everything you have done for me.  You are the best mom a son could ever ask for!  With all your support, guidance and love I have become the person I am today.  I will miss you so much, and will never stop thinking about you until the day we meet again.  Please continue to watch over me, and lead me with your guidance and strength. ~ Love always, your son Bill

Over the years, Colin and Luke became her source of strength.  Whenever she was feeling ill, tired or just had to face her usual bi-monthly chemo treatment, she’d think of them and they’d get her through it.  They were her heart! (aside from her darling son Bill of course)  She took so much pride in her family, we were what she lived for.

She started this journey with colon cancer in the late summer of 2015 and with the help of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, she was able to stick around for nearly five years.  Five years that we may not have had with her if it wasn’t for MSKCC.  We are so thankful to them for giving us those added years with our beloved mom and grandma.  She praised them for all they were doing for her and I know that she would want anyone who could, to donate to MSKCC to help find a cure for cancer.

Thank you all for your support, your thoughts and kind words over the last month.  We appreciate all you’ve contributed to Doreen’s life and hope that our relationships can continue in her honor.  Thank you.

~ Bill, Angela, Colin and Luke Riker