CASEY DORAN
Casey Doran passed away peacefully on Friday, December 4, 2020, at home where she was surrounded by loved ones, after a brief and valiant battle with cancer. She was 67. Casey was born in Los Angeles in 1953, and migrated to Chico in 1991, following her family to whom she was endlessly devoted. Casey was married for 25 years to Gordon Matthews, and mother forever to Michael Matthews, aka Mikey, the love of her life. Always a straight-shooter, Casey was far larger in life than her small stature might have suggested. Casey truly embraced all that life had to offer and inspired others to do the same.
Casey was a die-hard Dodger fan whose devotion did not ebb when she relocated to Northern California. She’d be all smiles for a Dodger game at the Giants’ Stadium, where she’d wear the bluest Dodger jersey in a sea of orange Giants jerseys. She loved expressing her colorful, energetic personality in the clothes she wore and the cars she drove. Chico locals will remember Casey’s 1976 orange Corvette, a classic, as well as her canary yellow Juke. Casey also had a green thumb, and her plants flourished in the garden as well as the kitchen, and especially in the bellies and smiles of her luckiest friends. You’d never have trouble finding Casey at a concert, as she’d be tearing up the dance floor right down in front of the band. She loved dancing her heart out at Chico’s Concerts in the Park. Casey took her adventurous spirit on the road, walking the walk all over the world. Her travels throughout the years took her from Mexico to the Philippines, from Europe through Australia, and from the dust storms of Burning Man to the churning rapids of whitewater rafting. She’d be found in the middle of the action, from riding in the Redwood Motorcycle Run to running the pit crew for Mikey’s brief racing career. She was behind the scenes too, just as quick to pitch in with physical labor, when that’s what was needed, as to sit and hold space when the need was more subtle. She was strong yet soft, as she loved fiercely but took no-nonsense.
Casey used her voice to speak out against wrongs she saw, no matter how big or small. She was also a devoted advocate for the most vulnerable members of the community, and a longtime volunteer with various programs serving the homeless populap p tion. Casey especially poured herself into the mission and the people of Chico’s Safe Space Winter Shelter, where she served as a Shelter Operations Manager and as a member of the Board of Directors. Casey was particularly well known for her tolerance with the saltier souls, whom she treated with the same dignity and respect as all others. She was highly respected and loved by all, especially shelter guests.
This world is a better place for Casey having lived, laughed, and loved in it.
Casey is pre-deceased by her parents, Marie Doran and James Doran. Casey lives on forever in the hearts and stories that will be told by her surviving family in the Doran Clan, including her son Michael Matthews, daughter- in- law Kimberlee, sister Colleen (and Richard) Chandler, brother Michael (and Marcie) Doran, brother Kevin (and Wendy) Doran, sister Kristie (and Udaya) Amezcua, nieces Bridget (and Danny) Abifadel, niece Dylan Doran, niece Ruby Rose Amezcua, great-nieces Amina, Gabriella, and Nora Abifadel, and a large extended family in the Sullivan Clan. Due to the ongoing pandemic, services at this time will be private. A Celebration of Life will be planned when it is safe to do so. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Casey’s honor to Safe Space Winter Shelter in Chico
( www. safespacechico.org). Share your thoughts online at NewtonBracewell.com