Doris Gould is a Doer!

Before retiring in 2014, Doris spent 24 years as a nurse and 20 more as a Nurse Practitioner. After only a few months of rest, she dove right into volunteering at New England Botanic Garden. Since then, Doris has done it all, welcoming visitors at the Gatehouse, helping with plant sales, crafting decorations for Night Lights, stringing (and unstringing!) miles of lights, checking Bluebird boxes for nests and eggs, and lending a hand wherever needed.

Beyond her many volunteer roles, Doris treasures the Garden as a place of beauty and reflection. She enjoys walking the trails, bringing friends to visit, and taking part in classes like Ikebana.

Her husband, David, retired a few years ago and also volunteers regularly in the gardens. Though they tend a garden at home, Doris admits that ours gets more attention. Together, they have four children and seven grandchildren. The three who live locally have joined in Halloween Parades, Night Lights, and picnics at the Garden with their grandparents.

Doris especially values how much more accessible the Garden has become, and the continued improvements that make it welcoming to all. She and David love to travel, often seeking out other botanical gardens around the world. On one trip to the Czech Republic, they unexpectedly met another NEBG volunteer couple! Another time, they ran into familiar faces from the Garden while attending a Tanglewood concert. Doris describes it as a wonderful community; one she is grateful to see grow with both long time and new volunteers.

We are deeply thankful to Doris and David for the hundreds—if not thousands—of hours they have devoted to helping New England Botanic Garden grow and thrive, and for their generous financial support as well.