Two weeks ago, one of this area’s most beloved and colorful people, Doris Myers, died at the age of 94. She was probably better known as “Dancin’ Doris” because of her love of dancing and her passionate pursuit of this love. She was always where things were happening in the community, whether at the Little League World Series, Williamsport Crosscutters games, or a wide variety of various other sporting activities and events such as the annual Grand Slam Parade and Flag Day parades, as well as major Williamsport High School athletic contests.
I had the pleasure of knowing Doris, not well, of course, but we knew each other; we would see each other a lot at the Crosscutters games and at the LLWS. She was always a smiling, vivacious and pleasant person who would light up any room or location she was at.
Perhaps no one knew her better or understood her impact on others better than local radio personality Gary Chrisman of WKSB FM. Dancin’ Doris was a special presence in his life for more than 40 years. It is hard to improve on what he had to say about Doris on his Facebook page upon learning of her death. I found it very moving and will quote extensively from it.
“Dancing with Doris!! It’s been a few days since Dancin Doris Myers joined the greatest dancers of all time in heaven. We’ve been telling Doris stories all week. It keeps us laughing — because she wouldn’t want us to be sad. Doris, you’ve left us with lasting memories and plenty of laughs and smiles. Doris Myers taught us all a lesson on how to live a great life — and live it to its fullest. Doris, you’ve inspired us all.”
He continued, “Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly were said to be fighting over the first dance in heaven. We all loved Doris. I knew her for close to 40 years. She was really like a member of my own family. Doris was always upbeat, always positive, always smiling, always fun. She loved life. She was happy to the end! Doris was the type of person who I was always glad to see.
“And she always put a smile on my face. She joined us on many of our Chrisman Show cruises — and traveled with us to Penn State road games. For many years, she barely missed a Penn State home football game. She was also a huge fan of all Williamsport Millionaire sports. As most people know, Dancin Doris was a staple at the Little League World Series. She stole the show on national TV with her numerous appearances with ESPN’s Julie Foudy over the last several years. Last year, Julie made sure that Doris could attend the series, despite a limited crowd rule. It wouldn’t be a true World Series without Dancin Doris. Doris Myers never stopped smiling, and she never stopped dancing. The last time I saw her, a couple of months ago at the nursing home — she had her feet moving and her hands going, and she said, ‘You know, I love to dance!’ Last Friday night at our Kiss-FM 35th Anniversary Party, I thought about Doris — and I thought, ‘this party doesn’t seem complete without her being here!’ Numerous people that night actually asked me if she was there. It was probably the first Kiss Party that she missed in 30 years, but we were all thinking about her. Doris was truly the First Lady of Williamsport!! She was the only person who had her own leather chair, ‘The Best Seat in the House’ in the sports room in my basement. When I’ve hosted football parties over the years, I’d say, ‘don’t get too comfortable in that seat! That’s Dancin Doris’s chair!’ That will always be Dancin Doris’s chair. She was the most beloved woman Billtown has ever known. Doris, your memory will always put a smile on my face. You touched us all over the years. Thank you for being a big part of my life,” Gary concluded.
When people think of Doris Myers, they will always think of her with a smile, and I think that is the way she would have liked it.
