Doreen May Maxwell (nee Cleator) passed away peacefully March 9, 2022. Born and raised in Victoria (Vic High Class of 43), she lived here for all but 3 of her 95 years.
Predeceased by her husband, Hugh (1969), she is survived by her brother, Robin Cleator (Kyla) of Mayne Island; in Victoria and area, her daughter Gail Tucker (Bob) and son Ian Maxwell (Janet); grandchildren: Shannon Maxwell, Carrie Martin, Rob Tucker, John Maxwell, Joe Maxwell and many great-grandchildren.
Doreen and Hugh married in Jamaica in 1948 and they came to Canada in 1951. They moved back to Jamaica in 1968 but Doreen returned to Canada in 1969 after Hugh’s sudden death.
She spent the next years working for the Red Cross Diversional Therapy Program (Veterans Hospital) and improving the soil in her large garden, eventually successful growing an increasing number of plants. She was especially fond of those sourced through the Hardy Plant Group. While her son in law Bob helped with many chores, she never completely trusted him to weed unsupervised. Bob is very grateful for the gardening knowledge and cups of tea she shared. She had been composting and recycling since the 50’s, long before it became trendy and there is a large lot off Gorge Road that is no longer a block of clay thanks to 45+ years of her remediation efforts.
All of her jobs and her free time were filled with artistic endeavours: flower arranging with the flowers and foliage she had grown, mixed with driftwood she scavenged (while collecting seaweed for the garden); learning to weave so she could help teach patients; sewing and tailoring clothes for herself, her children and grandchildren; creating home furnishings and dabbling in water colours and chalk pastels. Her last new venture was fabric art collages and all of us were recipients of at least one of her pieces.
As a young wife and mother in the 50’s and 60’s, time in the kitchen wasn’t optional but she did have a few treats she enjoyed making and sharing. Traditional family Christmas favourites: cheese straws, candied grapefruit peel, buttercrunch, nuts and bolts, which will always be enjoyed in her honour.
The last few years were spent living at Ian and Janet’s home enjoying their company and care and watching the activities and animals on the farm.
Almost to the end, she was an avid reader – books (no ROM COMs please) and the Times Colonist to keep up on local, regional and world events and politics. Doing (and solving) Cryptic Crosswords was always a favourite activity.
She will be missed by us all for her talents, dry wit, support and counsel. Finally at rest.
No service at her request.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Kathleen and Bob Leach
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Sandra Wylie To Gail, Bob and family
Condolences to you and yours at this time. Your Mum had a life well lived but its not easy to lose a parent at any time. Take care.
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Don & Pat Edwards Our deepest condolences for your loss, to Ian and all your family. Your Mom sounds like a very special person.
Our thoughts are with you.
Don & Pat Edwards
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Cindy Mac Farlane Very sorry to learn of your Mum’s passing.
Never easy losing our parents.
Heartfelt condolences to you Ian Janet & your familyCindy Mac Farlane
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Sherrie Boyte Dear Ian Janet and all your family… sorry to hear about your Mom, Ian… sending hugs and Condolences to you and all your family from Sherrie and Charlie… Such a lovely Euology
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Maggie Swift We send our condolences to all the family and friends of Doreen. I met Doreen when I was 13 years old, and although I did not know her well I was aware that she was a women of great poise. When I knew Doreen she was raising her children on her own and an amazing women she was. I remember her as a very tall great postured women who loved to garden and did so up until she moved in with Janet and Ian. She was adored by all that knew her, and most of all by her son Ian.
Never forgotten, memories of Doreen will live on with all of us who knew her. She will be missed
immensely by her family and her friends.
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Muriel Champagne To Gail and the family,
Thank you for advising me about your Mom passing. She has lived a wonderful life and will be missed by everyone. God bless her.
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Amy Renaud Your mother was a great gift to many. I’m sure she’s looking down and smiling at all of her beloveds. Life is a beautiful journey and it sounds like she had many wonderful adventures. I’m sorry I did not get to meet her. Sincere condolences to Gail and the family.
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Linda Petrovic I had the pleasure of touring Doreen’s impressive garden. I was 22 years younger and it made me tired just thinking of all the work she put into making her little piece of paradise bloom.
To all those who miss her I send blessings and hugs all round.
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Adrian Pearce What a wonderful tribute. And what a great loss. Condolences.
I am so very sorry for the loss of your Mom. It is an extremely difficult time, but you will have always have the memories that will keep her in your heart.
Kathleen and Bob Leach