Doren Wales

Doren Louise (Ringgard) Wales, 65, passed away surrounded by her awesome family on Friday, January 6, 2023, at Elliott Hospital in Manchester, New Hampshire.

She was born on January 12, 1957 in Nuremburg, Germany and was the eldest child of George Ringgard (d. 1983) and Sieglinde Einsiedler (d. 2012).

Doren was an amazing woman. She graduated from North Brookfield, Massachusetts High School and later earned an Associate’s degree from Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Arizona with a certificate in Life Coaching as well. She was also a Reiki Master Teacher. She loved to learn about everything.

Doren ran her own in-home daycare and was a dedicated foster parent for many years, because having 8 of her own children in the house wasn’t nearly enough fun. She was a mother to so many more kids than just her own biological children.  She loved to volunteer, whether it was helping to put on a haunted forest that raised money for kids with cancer, performing in a TOPS skit, being leader of a Girl Scout and Boy Scout troop, ushering at the Palace Theater, being a Granite State Ambassador, or just helping anyone out that she could see needed help, she was one of the first people to jump in. She instilled that trait into her children and inspired others to help as well.

Doren was both religious and spiritual. She believed in the healing powers of prayer, crystals, herbs, and her Native American sage. She truly believed that people were for “hugging, holding, and loving, not hurting.” She was an angel to many.

When Doren wasn’t home, she could be found adventuring with her best friend Sandy or traveling with her husband and family. She especially loved to visit the mountains and the beach. She also loved music, dancing, going to the theater, and crafting. If she felt “something was missing” from the craft she was working on, the solution was always glitter or sparkle!

Doren’s greatest joy was spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. It didn’t matter if she was telling stories, playing card games, doing puzzles, or just hanging out, we were always laughing and enjoying each other’s company. We truly enjoyed spending time with each other. If you were a lucky grandchild that got to sleep at Nana’s house, you could count on being woken up by Nana singing “Good Morning” from Singing in the Rain.  Doren loved to move furniture and whatever else she could around, which always made going to Nana’s house feel like you were embarking on a treasure hunt. Where would the cups be today? There are so many words to describe Doren and these are just a few: benevolent, best friend, brutally honest (when needed), complex, confused, fun, funny, giving, hopeful, kind, no poker face, optimistic, positive, sarcastic, smart, a smartass, strong, and thoughtful. She loved words, however, you needed to be able to “Speak MOM” as we said because her mind moved way faster than her mouth or her fingers.  This made for some great laughs and messages that we will forever cherish. She even loved well-placed swear words. In fact, if you asked her to describe herself, she would say she was a Bitch. However, she meant she was a Beautiful, Intelligent, Talented, Creative, Hell of a woman! And if you were lucky? She would call you one too.

Doren is survived by Benjamin Wales, her husband of 43 years; her 2 stepsons, Gary Wales and his wife Susan, and Thomas Wales; and her six children, Timothy Wales and his wife Stacey, Heidi Elgart and her husband Vincent, Eric Wales, Jonathan Wales, Amy Wales and her husband Michael Pereira, and Anthony Wales and his wife Courtney; and 18 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her brothers, Dean Ringgard and Dany Ringgard and his partner Keri; and her sister, Tracy Rhodes. She is preceded in death by her brother, Donald Ringgard (d. 2020) and his wife Martha (d. 2019). She also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends. She loved many and was loved by many.  Together, we lived a wonderful life.

ARRANGEMENTS: Doren’s Memorial Gathering will be held in the Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium on Thursday, January 12, from 4:00 to 6:00P.M. Followed by her Memorial Service at 6:00P.M. Friends and relatives invited. To view Doren's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.phaneuf.net.