Doris Elizabeth Ringland Porter

OSWEGO – Doris Elizabeth Ringland Porter, age 98, passed peacefully into “her Jesus’” loving arms on December 20, 2025. Born September 4, 1927, Doris was a proud lifelong resident of Oswego, New York.

Doris often testified that her greatest hope was to meet “her Jesus” face to face and to be reunited with her beloved husband and childhood sweetheart, “her Leo”. That hope has now been fulfilled.

Doris’s unwavering love and devotion to our Lord and Savior was inspirational to family and friends and she savored every opportunity and circumstance to share with everyone God’s Plan of Salvation; she always cherished every opportunity to share her personal salvation experience.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Leo F. Porter, her parents, Addie M. and James A. Ringland; and her siblings, Genevieve M. Ringland, Helen Blanche Ringland, James B. Ringland, and Mary R. Hooper.

Doris is survived by her children, Nancy L. (Robert H.) Atten and James Ringland (Julie M.) Porter; her granddaughters, Erin E. (Rev. Isai) Bejarano and Jennifer L. (Joshua) Skeans; and the true joys of her life, her great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Benjamin, and David Bejarano. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including a favorite nephew “like a son,” James Ringland, and his lovely daughter, Emma Ringland.

Doris married Leo on December 30, 1945, and they shared a happy and devoted marriage until Leo’s passing in October 2020.

After graduating from Oswego High School, Doris worked in the office of the Leo Department Store, then located at the corner of West First and Bridge Streets. Following her marriage, she devoted herself fully to raising her family. She later returned to the workforce, first at Kline’s Department Store and then as a teller at the Marine Midland Bank branch in Raby’s Plaza.

After the passing of her mother, Doris left her professional career to honor a promise to care for her sister, Helen Blanche Ringland, who had Down syndrome. Doris and Leo welcomed Helen into their home, providing her with compassionate and joyful full-time care until Helen went to be with the Lord.

Doris and Leo were faithful members of Bible Baptist Church in Scriba and founding members of the Oswego Alliance Church. Doris lived her life as a testimony to God’s love, grace, and faithfulness, and she earnestly prayed that others would come to know the peace and assurance found only through believing in Jesus Christ.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude for the loving and compassionate care Doris and Leo received for several years from their devoted caregiver, Deanne Burke, and is also deeply thankful for the kindness and attentive care further provided to Doris in her later years by Renee Lagoe, as well as for the services and guidance of the Oswego Office for the Aging, with special appreciation for Wendy Heretyk’s steadfast support.

A celebration of life service will be held at Riverside Cemetery in the spring, with burial to follow

Arrangements are under the care of Dowdle Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be considered in Doris’s memory to the Billy Graham Evangelical Association.

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