Doris Mae (Sjolund) Pihlaja April 19, 1937 - - - May 17, 2003 Doris, 66, of Ventura, CA passed away May 17, 2003. Doris was born April 19, 1937, in Alexandria, Minn., and had been a Ventura County resident for 34 years. She was an office manager for the Ventura Unified School District for 27 years. Doris liked to sew, knit and after retirement, loved to travel. She enjoyed frequently visiting family and friends, as well as spending the summers at home with her grandchildren. She was also known as an avid reader. Her love for books was so great that she usually read a favorite author's whole body of work and when she discovered a new author, in many instances searched for their complete works as well. She was quick to suggest a book to others, often with an uncanny ability to match an author's style with a person's taste. This love for reading also fueled a passion for words, culminating in an interest in crossword puzzles and collecting colorful literary phrases, which she many times used to appropriately sum up a situation or cheer someone up. Doris was often fond of angels and to her family and friends was considered one as well. She was a selfless and loving person, often generous with her time and energy and always willing to listen and help others. She frequently put others first and went the extra step with an attention to detail that made one feel truly special. This attribute was reflected in her involvement with the Sunrise Optimist Club of Ventura. She enlightened many people's lives and she will be deeply missed. She is survived by her daughter, Holly (husband Ken Jr.) Crown of Vancouver, Wash.; son Jay Pihlaja of San Francisco; grandchildren, Kai Crown, Gabriele Crown and Eden Crown; and brothers, Walter (wife Sandy) Sjolund of Staples, Minn., and Douglas (wife Patty) Sjolund of Brainerd, Minn. A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at Charles Carroll Funeral Home, 15 Teloma Drive, Ventura, with the Rev. Jon Christenson officiating. Burial will be at Ivy Lawn MemorialPark, Ventura. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Doris Pihlaja can be made to the Sunrise Optimist Club, c/o Charles Carroll Funeral Home, 15 Teloma Drive, Ventura, CA 93003; or the Montalvo Library, Cheers for Children, 120 E. Santa Clara St., Ventura, CA 93001. Arrangements are under the care of the family-owned and -operated Charles Carroll Funeral Home, Ventura.