Doris J. Morgan

Age 91 - Las Cruces, NM

DORIS J. MORGAN, 91, died suddenly on May 11, 2025, in Las Cruces, NM. A fiercely independent woman, she had a lifelong love of music, art, and archaeology, which she pursued by performing in choral organizations and participating in archaeological societies. Born Doris Jeanette Breitbart in Irvington, NJ, on April 19, 1934, to George Frederick and Helen Marie (Schlotkoski) Breitbart, she sang as a teenager in churches as part of an a capella quartet with her three sisters, Eleanor, Ardele, and Marie. She married James Morgan on April 25, 1954, and moved to Las Cruces, where they had two sons, James, Jr., and David. The family returned to NJ in 1960, and the couple divorced in 1967. Doris worked for more than two decades in New York City for several firms in the fur industry, including Evans, Inc., as a showroom model, administrative assistant, and associate director of operations.

As an expression of her interest in archaeology and her adventurous spirit, she volunteered for Earthwatch expeditions to help excavate sites around the world, including in Mallorca, Spain, and Caesarea Maritima, Israel. She also assisted in the reconstruction of ancient pottery uncovered at Khirbet-Iskander, Jordan, and of Colonial-era artifacts in New Jersey. She gave lectures and presentations on archaeology and wildlife studies at museums, universities and to civic groups. In addition, her travels took her to Egypt, Peru, Mexico, Europe, and the Caribbean. She also earned her yellow belt in Taekwondo.

After returning to Las Cruces in 1990, she joined the Doña Ana Archaeological Society (DAAS), where she was elected president in 1994. In 2010 the Archaeological Society of New Mexico elected Doris its first woman president in ASNM's more than 100-year-history. In New Mexico she worked for Capital American Insurance, and at New Mexico State University, in the office of the Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, retiring in 2018.

While at NMSU, she was a longtime member of the Masterworks Chorus, the Masterworks Guild, and the Doña Ana Lyric Opera Guild, and performed with the chorus at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican; Notre Dame in Paris and Saint-Gatien in Tours, France; and the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. She also sang with the Mesilla Valley Chorale, and in recent years was on the Board of the Choral Association of Southern New Mexico (CASNM). She was a member of the Doña Ana Arts Council, and the Mesilla Valley Writers. A longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church, she served as a choir member, Sunday School teacher, liturgist, and deacon.

She is survived by sons James Jr. and David; daughters-in-law Arlene Morgan and Tessa Wardlaw; three grandchildren, Brianne, Ian, and Devon; a sister, Marie Riecke; a niece, Cindy Woodvine; and a grand-nephew, Shaun Riecke. She is pre-deceased by her sisters Eleanor Richardella and Ardele Chandler; brothers-in-law William Riecke and the Rev. Theodore Chandler; and a nephew, Michael Riecke. In lieu of flowers, a donation to an animal shelter would be appreciated.  Plans for a memorial service are pending.

Cremation arrangement has been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapel of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com