People with Disabilities Succeeding

“Hi my friend",

Please come to Joe’s Celebration of Life! This will be more than a memorial service. It will be a gathering to reflect on his remarkable journey—from institutionalization to belonging and inclusion.

We will share Joe’s story, which is both informative and, we hope, uplifting. It is also a story about how one person’s life can inspire change. Joe’s friendship and spirit played an important role in shaping the vision that became People with Disabilities Succeeding.

If you are a friend or part of the PDS community we would be honored if you would attend. Together we will celebrate Joe, recognize the many people who cared for and supported him over the years, and reflect on how his life helped inspire the work of PDS.

Today, we will be celebrating the life of Kathy Doering, pictured in the blue dress at her retirement party in 2016.

Kathy was the teacher and mentor of PDS Executive Director Lisa Markey. She was important to many, many people, including Lisa and her colleagues pictured here—Shirley Rodriguez, Annette Vitali-Thompson, and Sara Murphy—all leaders in the field of supporting adults with developmental disabilities.

Kathy taught Lisa about integrity.

Integrity means:
• being honest,
• doing what you say you will do, and
• acting in a way that matches your values even when it’s hard.

Kathy also helped Lisa develop and define the core philosophy that guides People with Disabilities Succeeding.

Those values continue to guide the work of PDS

https://www.pdsmarin.org/philosophy

🌞 In Loving Memory of Joe 🌞
April 28, 1941 – March 29, 2026

“I ain’t got no people. All I got is the sun. It follows me wherever I go.”

Joe used to say this all the time.

Joe was born in 1941 with developmental disabilities and, as was common practice at the time, spent his childhood in an institution (Sonoma State Hospital). After a difficult early life marked by abandonment, abuse, and neglect, Joe eventually found stability, belonging, and community in Marin County, California.

With support from People with Disabilities Succeeding and Casa Allegra Community Services, Joe flourished as an adult. He lived in his own apartment with 24-hour support and worked part-time jobs including Fresh Choice and Pasta Pomodoro.

Joe shared a friendship of more than 40 years with Lisa Markey, who founded PDS. Over time, Joe did find his people — a large circle of friends and family who loved him deeply.

Joe was cherished by Larry and Rachel Jean and their children — Joey, Gabriel, Josh, Christine, and Isaac — and by Rachel's mom, Vicky Greenhill, whom he called “mother.” Larry and Rachel were by Joe’s bedside when he passed peacefully on the morning of March 29, 2026. He was 84 years old.

Joe loved the sun, moon, stars, and angels. His love of the sun even inspired the bright sun logo of People with Disabilities Succeeding — a symbol of the warmth, belonging and "people" Joe ultimately found.

🌞 Celebration of Life 🌞
Friends, family, and community members are warmly invited to celebrate Joe’s life.

The celebration will be held on Joe's birthday:

Tuesday, April 28th, 2026
1:00 PM
Odd Fellows Lodge
1525 Mission Avenue
San Rafael, CA

Music will be shared by Jacob Aranda and Darren Turner.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to People with Disabilities Succeeding. There will be a reception after downstairs at The Friend Zone.

All who knew Joe or whose lives were touched by him are welcome to attend. 🌞

If you’d like to support PDS in Joe’s honor, please click the “Learn More” button on our Page to donate. 🌞
Thank you for helping us continue this community of love and belonging.