Doris Muldoon Obituary

Doris Aceli Trevino Muldoon, 88, of Dallas, was welcomed by our Lord into his heavenly home on August 31, 2023. Doris was born to Manuel B. and Annie T. Trevino on May 20, 1935, in San Antonio, TX. She grew up in San Antonio where she graduated from G.W. Brackenridge High School in 1953 and from Incarnate Word College 1957. While in college, Doris served as President of her Sorority, the Physical Education Council, and as business manager of both the school annual and newspaper. She pursued graduate studies at attended graduate school at the University of California studying dance, London University focusing on education, and ultimately Southern Methodist University receiving a Master's degree in Management.

Doris' greatest loves were dance, education and children. Although she had a single dance teacher for a short time as a child, she was essentially self-taught. She started the Doris Aceli Trevino Dance Studio at the age of 13, and hired her mother as the secretary/bookkeeper for the studio. She would later dance with the New York Ballet on the Dance Caravan European Tour dancing in London, Paris, Madrid and Rome wherein she was fortunate to study under Maris Fay of Moscow's Bolshoi Theater and London's Royal Academy of Dance. Her fondest memory in dance came when she had the opportunity to study tap under and dance with Gene Kelly. Not surprisingly he favorite pastime was watching MGM musicals. She was a member of the Dance Masters of America and National Association of Affiliated Artists.

On August 3, 1963, Doris married Marlow J. Muldoon in San Antonio and later relocated to Dallas, where, in the same year, she established the Montessori School of Dallas. One of her most significant accomplishments was creating an inclusive environment at her Montessori, ensuring full integration from the very first day due to her deep love for all children. For over a decade, she continued with dance by teaching her school students after school throughout the year. Upon selling Montessori in 1983, she invested in real estate but missing working with children she became a bilingual public school teacher. Every child she taught knew Doris loved and cared for each and every single one of them. Any child that needed a coat, a sweater, a pair of shoes or a comforting hug was never denied because "Ms. Muldoon" was always there. With little to no fanfare, she always did the little things for "her kids." Her students loved her and she them. As much as she loved being a teacher, her greatest love was undoubtedly her three boys, Marlow James, David Michael, and Patrick Kelly. She was a wonderful mother who sacrificed for her boys more than can be relayed herein. Her marriage dissolved in 1976. As a single mother, she was always aware that she could not have raised her boys without the help of others, most significantly her mother Annie and sister Blanche. She was an ardent advocate for her sons and did everything to ensure the best education and opportunities for them. She believed in a good education for every child and did whatever she could to ensure it for all children.

Doris' belief in the Lord was always a guiding force in her life. Her Catholic faith was instilled in her from her parents and remained constant through her life. Bed-ridden her last years of life, she always knew the Lord was watching and would welcome her into His Kingdom on day.

She was incredibly industrious, with an entrepreneurial spirit. An opinionated woman who always spoke her mind. What she believed, she believed passionately. She was a loving daughter, sister and aunt, an amazing friend, and as devoted a mother as has ever lived. Doris is survived by her sister Ruth, her nephew Mark, her niece Leslie, and her sons Marlow and Kelly. The family extends heartfelt gratitude for the enduring love and friendship of the Abdnor family, the Lamey family, and the Segal family. Additionally, the family wishes to acknowledge and express their gratitude for the exceptional care provided by the staffs at the Emerson, the Adora, and Walnut Place, with special appreciation for the compassionate care provided by Franky Patt. Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Blanche, her son David, and her dearest friend Betty Jo Abdnor.

A funeral service will be held in honor of Doris at St. Monica's Catholic Church on Friday, September 29 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary of Carmel Catholic School, 1716 Singleton Blvd., Dallas, TX 75202; The Momentous Institute, 106 E. Tenth street, Dallas, TX, 75203; and St. Monica's Catholic Church, 9933 Midway Road, Dallas, TX 75220.