As a child, Doris grew up in Prospect. She attended St Peter’s Collegiate Girls School in its original location in Kermode Street, North Adelaide. She worked tirelessly for the Saints Old Scholars and was Secretary for over 20 years. Doris was an accomplished pianist and gained distinction grades with the Victorian College of Music and passed with honours, exams conducted by Trinity College in London. She was one of the youngest in the state to achieve such awards.

She married Max Boyce, a talented sportsman in 1941. They shared a mutual interest in sport and in sports administration.

• Doris was a talented tennis player and captained the North Adelaide Pennant team.
• Doris and husband Max represented the state in badminton.
• She was a member of the Davis Cup Committee in 1956.
• She was a foundation committee member of the Sportswomen’s Association. She was awarded the first life membership in this organisation.
• Doris was on the judging panel for S.A. Sportswoman of the year and was Vice president of the Miss Sportsgirl Quest.
• Doris began the Women’s Mid-Week Grass Court Tennis Association over 70 years ago. The competition began with four teams at Memorial Drive and expanded in its heyday to many divisions with hundreds of women competing and enjoying the companionship of others. Doris was President of the Association for 25 years, became a life member in 1978 and held the position of Patron up to her death. Her husband Max was the recorder for many years.
• In 1963, Doris and Max established the Boyce Medal for the outstanding woman tennis player chosen annually by the S.A. Tennis Association.
• Doris was a committee member of the Reade Park Tennis Club.
• Doris assisted in organising receptions, morning and afternoon teas at Memorial Drive for the many international tennis championships held there.
• Doris was a foundation member of the North Adelaide Football Club Ladies Committee.
• She was the first woman in South Australia to become a member of the management committee of a SANFL football club, namely North Adelaide in 1976. She had outvoted five male rivals to fill this position.
• She was a Life Member of the North Adelaide Football Club.
• Doris also served on the Asthma Foundation Ladies Committee, Fitzroy Crippled Children’s Committee, Australian American Association Ladies Committee and Barker Kindergarten Committee.
• Doris received the British Empire Medal in 1982.
• In 1993, Doris was presented with the Key to the City of Prospect in recognition of her outstanding service to the community.

Apart from the above, she was a superb cook and a gardening enthusiast. She was a talented flower arranger and was in great demand to do the flowers at weddings and charity functions.

In honour of Doris Boyce's dedication annually the Doris Boyce Trophy and Runner-up are awarded to the most consistent players.