Doreen Camille Cruz Brister passed away in her sleep during the early morning hours of July 22, 2023.
She was known fondly as Doreen, Dee or Dee-Dee, depending on your generation. Born on November 8, 1928, she was raised in Key West, Florida as a proud third generation “Conch”. At the age of 21 she married the love of her life, George Russell Brister, a handsome young Navy man. She quickly adapted to the military life, moving seven times in the first thirteen years of her marriage. From Lakehurst, NJ to Whidbey Island, WA it was a journey that allowed her to see much more than her unique hometown. It also let her make many deep and lasting friendships along the way. Her family settled in Sanford, FL, their last Navy duty station.
After George retired from the military it was his civilian position that allowed her the experience of living in a foreign port moving to Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands for two years in the 1970’s.
When George died much too early in life, Dee began the third phase of her life working in a lovely little gift shop owned by two wonderful people. It was also during those years that she was often called upon to be a very hands on grandmother, a job she did willingly and with much love.
In 2006 she sold her home and moved to a different neighborhood to begin the fourth stage of her life. She quickly made new friends and became active in the community. She spent every autumn rooting for her beloved Gators, Seminoles and Fighting Irish. And in those years she was thankful to have her children become her caregivers when needed. She often spent her last days sitting in her driveway talking to her neighbors and watching their lives as the many older women of Peacon Lane had done during her childhood.
Dee leaves behind her six children and their families: son George Brister, his wife Mary and their two sons Rusty Brister, his wife Kadie Brister, and Geoffrey Brister; son Randal Brister, his wife Linda and their daughter Nicole Belong, her husband Tyler Belong and their children Brynn and Mason; daughter Toni Brister Shannon, her husband Dr F Brett Shannon and their three children Keely Shannon, Dr Brett Shannon, his wife Dr Colleen Shannon and their children William, Lily and Clara, and Jim Shannon and his wife Lindsay Shannon; son Joe Brister, his wife Jennifer and their children Noah Brister, Tim Brister and Kevin Holmwood; son Martin Brister and his wife Anne; and daughter, Laura Brister Day.
Dee was an active member of All Souls Catholic Church for sixty years. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 8, at All Souls Historic Chapel, 800 S Oak Ave, Sanford, FL. Burial to follow at All Souls Catholic Cemetery, 1825 W 25th Street, Sanford.