On a sunny day with light breeze, the community said good-bye to Doris Aiken, 90 at a memorial service honoring her held at the Unitarian Church in Schenectady, NY. There were over a 100 in attendance. Doris’s Grand Daughter, Charlotte played the Swallow Tailed Gig on her Viola. Family members spoke of her courage as an activist and Mother. Friends and colleagues reflected on Doris’s unrelenting spirit and optimism.  15 years ago, Doris wrote her own obituary, which was read by her son-in-law Tom Buckley. The reading gave the service a light touch of humor, displaying Doris’s gift of self-deprecation.

Carl Strock, a retired columnist stated, “Its one thing to change laws. What Doris Aiken did was change attitudes. Among her many achievements, that I think is her most impressive feat.”

Her son, William, who has been running RID along with his sister, Jane will continue RID’s Mission to fight for the rights of victims, Doris started nearly 40 years ago. Doris leaves behind a legacy the includes the use of victim impact statements at sentencing hearings of defendants, a practice she helped to implement that has become a staple of the criminal justice system.