Doris P. Roberts (Thurston), born March 22, 1941, in Everett, Massachusetts to
Frederick and Evelyn Roberts, passed away November 22, 2024 ,in Havre, Montana of
natural causes.
Doris was family, a friend, mentor and colleague to many, but because of her
unassuming nature, they often knew only one side of this amazing multifaceted person.
Before Montana, she loved riding her motorcycle and was an outstanding softball,
basketball, and field hockey player. Many missed her in New Hampshire when this
excellent teacher and coach left in 1975.
Doris Roberts wanted an adventure. She decided to join her friend and fellow teacher,
Wayne Thurston, on his journey back to Havre, MT. Once there, she stayed and opened
Dowayne's Studio, affordable photography for memorable occasions. Wayne and Doris
married in 1977 and shared a life full of learning and adventure until his death in 2017.
She honored Wayne by creating and funding the Wayne Thurston Memorial
Scholarship awarded to students entering the STEM fields (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics)
Wayne's children: Vance, Vicky (Michels), Vern (Sean), Vaughn, and Valerie (Callahan)
accepted her as part of the family. She never took the role of a mother, but we loved,
respected, and valued her interest in our lives. She also helped care for Wayne's son,
Earl Thurston, who visited in the summer. We miss Doris, but have eternal gratitude for
the love, care, companionship and devotion she gave our father. We are forever grateful
for her efforts to preserve his memory, family history and legacy.
Doris (N7AIT) and Wayne (AB70) were accredited examiners for the American Amateur
Radio Relay League and members of the Hi-Line Radio Club. Doris helped train morse
code and radio skills to those interested in ham radio. "The window to the world", as
Doris called it, was opened when her ham operators earned their Amateur Radio
License.
Few know of the tremendous impact she had nationally and on Montana's environment,
water quality, and treatment of wastewater. After attending science classes at MSU-
Northern, she worked in Chinook as a wastewater treatment operator. Her knowledge
and skills were quickly recognized. She returned to MSU-N and taught classes,
developed training materials, and wrote EPA grants to train future water treatment
operators. Traveling the state and attending conferences, she used her experience to
write technical manuals, train, and help evaluate water treatment across the state.
In 2005 the MET ( Montana Environmental Training), honored her 17 years of
dedicated service as a METC steering committee charter member. In 2006, The
Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by the Montana Water Environment

Association for " A lifetime of service in protection of public health and the environment.
Many small system operate in compliance today because of your relentless efforts."
The 2017, prestigious Martha Anne Dow Excellence in Education for Environmental
Science and Public Health Award was given. The presenter stated that even though
Doris has been out of the field for 12 years, people still ask about her and remember the
influence she had in their lives.
Doris is survived by Beverly Wanko (sister), Donald Roberts (brother), and numerous
nieces and nephews. She is missed by her dearest friend, Shelley Fisher. Wayne's
children and grandchildren honor her memory and are grateful she no longer needs to
suffer the low vision, essential tremors, and psoriasis that she never allowed to slow her
down.
Memorial service will be held at 11:00 on May 17, 2025, at the Holland and Bonine
funeral home in Havre, MT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the PAWS
Shelter, PO Box 132 Chinook, MT 59523 or a charity of the donor's choice.