The 102-year-old has been a member of the Mid Canterbury district's WI for more than 65 years attending Maronan, Willowby-Eiffelton, Ashburton District, Hampstead and now Netherby WIs.
And it's been a time full of friendships, fun and continued learning.
''It's a place for friendship,'' she said, of the WI.
''Other women are there and you learn.
''Today we have so much other stuff, texting and other stuff (such as computers), but we can still share skills and learn from other people.
''You're never too old to learn. I was 100 and learned how to use my microwave,'' she said.
It's now a helpful cooking aid for the centenarian who lives independently in downtown Ashburton, has great memory, a good sense of humour and, aside from arthritis aggravated by a fall in her 90s, is in mostly good health.
Doris was born July 24, 1917 in the family home in Hampstead, Ashburton.
She was the eldest daughter, of six children, but growing up she spent a lot of time with her Aunt Fanny, whom she adored.
When, at 18, Doris met her future first husband, George Bishop, who was 10 years her senior, she was working as a housekeeper both in the private sector and for her mother.
It was a job she continued to do until their marriage three years later. (And picked up in later life, working at the Ashburton Hospital).
The WI did not appear on Doris' radar until she was in her mid-30s and it was at the instigation of farm owner Margaret (aka Peggy) Rhodes.
By then Doris and George, who was a farm worker on the Rhodes property, had five children; a sixth child died at birth.
Jeffrey, Myra, David and Allen have since died but youngest child Noella is still alive and lives close to Doris and visits daily, as do other family and caregivers.
And it's a big family - Doris has 13 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 18-and-counting great-great-grandchildren
Doris and George spent early married life on different farms around Mid Canterbury, including spells at Ealing and Dorie before arriving at Maronan.
''The boss' wife [Peggy] took me along [to WI]. There was nothing else to do in the area,'' Doris said.
''I could already cook but I learned craft and sewing.
''I learned all of those skills by belonging to institute in those days.
''It was the only thing, outside going to church at the hall that people did [off the farm].''
She said about 20 women attended the Maronan WI at the time, and women came from as far afield as Mayfield, Hinds and along Maronan Rd.
It was held monthly at the Maronan Hall and timed for when the children were at school.
They had guest speakers on different topics and to give demonstrations.
After being introduced to the organisation, whenever the family moved for work, Doris made sure to transfer to the nearest WI.
She said most districts have a WI, or one nearby that women can attend.
George died unexpectedly in 1973 and Doris, aged 56, never thought she would remarry - but she did.
She met Wilford ''Wis'' Wakelin while working in packaging at the Triangle supermarket.
''I never intended to remarry but it just happened,'' she said, of their friendship.
They were married in 1975 and lived happily in Ashburton until Wis died in 1979.
After losing two husbands - the last more than 40 years ago - Doris admits she never met another man who lived up to match either of them.
She now lives in a small flat, surrounded by family and friends, focusing on the good side of life - and the future.
People have bad times, she said, but they are memories and should be left in the past.
''Never look on the bad side, always on the good side. If the sun is shining, thank the lovely stars you're still here.
''At my time of life that's a precious thing. I never thought I would live as long as 100, let alone two years after.
''There is always something to look forward to,'' she said, with a smile.
''Like littlies or someone getting married, there's always something.''
