Doris M. Johnson

Doris M. Johnson, Historian, Writer, Musician, Sailor

Doris M. Johnson, 91, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2022 with family by her side. Doris was born in Quincy, Massachusetts to Harold L. Johnson and Violet I. Johnson on August 9, 1931. After graduating from Belmont High School, she attended Faulkner Hospital School of Nursing. She married Charles E. Wyman in 1950, and they had seven children. She later married Robert F. Melville, and together raised their ten children in Kingston. She later moved to Plymouth, MA.

While raising her family, Doris worked as a journalist at several newspapers including the Silver Lake News, and the Patriot Ledger. Breaking into a male-dominated field with fearless determination, she covered many high-profile stories, most notably the

Kennedy/Chappaquiddick incident. In 1975, Doris was commissioned to write the history of Kingston to commemorate its bicentennial, establishing herself as a notable historian and published author. Doris left the Patriot Ledger to become editor of the South Shore Business Journal before starting her own businesses in 1990, News/ink (a media support company) and Jones River Press (book publishing).

Doris was a true Renaissance woman. In addition to all her journalistic endeavors and raising her flock, Doris enjoyed designing and implementing renovation projects such as converting the century old barn at 10 Summer Street into her residence once her children had moved on. Doris was an organist at several churches over the years. She was a founding member of the South Shore Sweet Adelines. She was a talented photographer, an avid gardener, and crafter of pillows. But far above all her other passions, Doris was a sailor. Owning several catboats over the years, Doris enjoyed sailing around Plymouth Harbor, to Martha’s Vineyard, to Newport, RI, and as far north as Portland, Maine. Doris was a member of the Plymouth Yacht Club, the Catboat Association, and Jones River Landing.

Doris was very active in her community. In 2004, she co-founded the Taskforce for the Homeless in Plymouth and was a board member for years. She was a trustee of the Frederic C. Adams Public Library, a member of the Plymouth Rotary Club, the Antiquarian Society, the Jones River Historical Society, many choral groups, the Plymouth Arts Center, and local churches over the years.

Doris is survived by her children Wendy Campbell, Karen Wyman, Glenna Wyman, Elisabeth Regan, Robin Wyman, David Melville and his wife Lisa, Susan Sceviour, Julie Wyman and her wife Beth Willis, and Sherrill Potash and her husband Wayne, thirteen grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son Charles E.Wyman Jr, and her sisters Barbara A.Gottling and Nancy L. Stevens.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Church, 149 Court St, Plymouth, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Doris’s memory may be made to the Plymouth Taskforce to End Homelessness, in Plymouth, MA. https://plymouth-taskforce-homeless.org/donate-now/

For directions or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit: southeastfuneralhome.com