Peacefully on May 17, 2021 Aunt Doreen went to be with our Lord. Predeceased by her two brothers, Syd and Doug, she leaves behind eight nieces and nephews, who have fond memories of times spent visiting with her on Vancouver Island.
Doreen lived an admirably productive life. Born in Churnside, Scotland on January 21, 1928, she and her family immigrated to Canada in 1929. Doreen grew up on the prairies, and later came with her mother to Vancouver Island. She went on to earn her designation as a Certified General Accountant working in the Provincial Government’s Comptroller Generals Office, where she proceeded to achieve special commendations for innovative excellence. Doreen travelled extensively in her life, and was an avid fan of the arts, a talented artist herself, she also loved theatre and symphony, and leaves behind good friends who shared her passions.
Sail on to your next adventure lovely lady – we will miss your sense of humour and genteel ways.
Many thanks and accolades to all the staff at Parkwood Court where Doreen lived, and was cared for over the past five years. Nowhere could she have received better or more compassionate care.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Janis Williamson
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Darlene Southwell Doreen was a much admired workmate at the Diocese of Victoria where her talent and integrity greatly enhanced our work environment. She was smart and fun and I remember her with fondness.
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Lori Hitchcox I had the pleasure of knowing Doreen through my Uncle & Aunt (Glen & Jean Hutchinson) I will remember her as always being smartly dressed & a great sense of Humor. We had some good laughs & good times “Doreenie” & you will be greatly missed. I will find comfort knowing that you are all together in heaven.
Sending condolences to Doug & Barbara & the rest of the Family.
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Grace Cain Doreen was a long time friend of mine. We were C.G.A. students together in the late 1960 and early 1970’s. Then in 1984 we were work-mates in the provincial Comptroller’s Office. Doreen enjoyed going to live theater in Chemainus with us and classical music. Later Jan Williamson and her would come to my home for a game of scrabble, occasionally. Sadly in these last few years we had lost touch due to the pandemic. We will meet again on the other side.
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Rosemary Cameron Remembering Doreen. A sweet and gentle lady – admired for her achievements and greatly missed.
Doreen and I met, and soon became fast friends, when we worked for the Provincial Ministry of Finance in the late 1970’s.
Upon retirement from Government at age 60, Doreens’ first task was to re-roof her garage, which she did – by herself, and thought nothing of it!
After retirement, Doreen worked part-time for the Diocese of Victoria, where she proved to be a very valuable asset.
Doreen liked to travel and went on sketching/walking trips to Tuscany, Provence, and Southern England. She excelled at sketching, drawing, and painting and would often skip the walk in order to perfect her renditions. She also drew horses and cats, but would often discount her work with a shrug, and say “I just copied what I saw”.
Doreen and I sometimes travelled together, and whether it was running white-water rapids on the Kicking Horse River (her suggestion) or riding camels at the Egyptian pyramids, Doreen had spunk!
We rode in a rickshaw, cruised the Nile River, sailed on a felucca (2 Scots in a skiff), and went to the ancient library of Alexandria. Swam in the Dead Sea and rode a cable car to the top of Massada.
In Hong Kong we rode the Peak Tram funicular railway. Stumbled upon a tea ceremony, and had the best cup of tea either of us had ever had! We also shared what might be the worlds smallest hotel room.
We took day trips to China and Macau, and had the most relaxing and peaceful sail on a sampan, to an island in the South China Sea.
In day-to-day life, whether we were cleaning out her basement or tidying my yard, Doreen was fun to be with.
We shared the joy and delight when either of us got a new cat or kitten, and the tears of grief (and shots of sherry) when they died.
And, in the way of great friendships, I had the comfort of knowing Doreen always had my back.
Doreen was a dear friend and I continue to hold her, and our memories, close to my heart.
I’m happy to say Doreen maintained her quiet, mischievously delightful, and often surprising, sense of humour, until her very last days.
This begins who Doreen was; in life she was so much more.