It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Doris on Thursday, October 4th, 2018, surrounded by family and love. Doris was born in 1930 on the family farm in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan. Predeceased by daughter, Gloria (age 2 years), she is survived by her husband, Don (married 66 years); daughters, Mardi (Marc), Patti, Joni (Riley) and son, Wade (Sandra). Doris was also a grandmother to eleven (Etienne, Ainsley, Taylor, Reid, Alix, Jordan, Diandra, Regan, Sawyer, Madison and Rhys) and great-grandmother to two (Declan and MacEwan). Doris was the youngest of five siblings and is survived by sister, Merle. She will also be greatly missed by many other relatives and friends.
Don and Doris married in 1952 and started their family shortly thereafter. They moved their family to Victoria in 1968 and have resided in the family home ever since.
Doris loved spending time with her immediate family and also thoroughly enjoyed visiting with her many relatives and friends over the years.
Her passions included dancing the night away (with Don) and tending to her lovely garden. Her flower gardens often caught the attention of passing tour buses.
Her spirit, strength and goodness will be with us in our hearts always.
A Celebration of Doris’ life will be held at Cadboro Bay United Church, 2625 Arbutus Road, Victoria, on Friday, October 12, 2018 at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Society of B.C.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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John and Marilyn Bate
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Nancy Davis (Rogers) Dear Don and family,
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I so fondly remember my ‘Investors Family’ and Don, you and Doris were so important to me. I always considered my job at Investors, as my 1st REAL job and you and Doris always made me feel like ‘family’. Even 30+ years later, I am so thankful for the opportunity you gave me. Hugs to you and your family….Nancy Davis (Rogers)
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KAREN PEARSON We are so sorry to hear of Doris’ passing. There are so many good memories of your visits to Minnesota over the years. Doris was a gracious guest and hostess when we visited your home. Times together were most enjoyable.
Don, our sincere sympathy to you and your family. She will be missed.
May God comfort you at this difficult time.
Sincerely, Jim & Karen
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Mary Murrell Just a quick note to offer my condolences to the family. I was so very sad to read this in the paper. I am also so sorry that I won’t be able to attend the Celebration on Friday, but I will be in Vancouver for a conference. Doris was such an amazing woman, and always so fun and welcoming. I always felt at home when I was at your place and I now that you will all miss her terribly!
Wade – please get in touch when you are back home and we can chat! It has been ages. Don – please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you.
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Aud, Hege, and Karl Petter Rundhovde Dear Don
We were saddened to hear that Doris passed away. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
We will always remember when we visited you in Victoria, and how you opened your home to us and made our stay wonderful.
We remember Doris as a warm and beautiful person, and especially the nice moment when we sat around your kitchen table, talking and laughing, having those delicious pancakes Doris had made. We will cherish the memories of her and how you both welcomed us forever.May loving memories ease your loss and bring you comfort.
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Meg Seal To the Jensen family; I was very saddened to hear of Doris’ passing. My memories of her on the farm, in the trailer and at family reunions are fond ones She was a great, gracious and kind lady. My condolences. May your memories help comfort you today and always.
Love
Meg
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Cory and Brenda (Benson) Knops Dear Don and family. We are so sorry to hear of Doris’s passing. Mum and dad always looked so forward to your visits. I thank you for your constant contact with them. Our sincere condolences.
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Janice Wickstrom Johnson My heartfelt prayers and condolences to you and family. Doris will always have a special place in the hearts of those who knew her. God’s blessing for peace and comfort, at this time and always.
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Don and Evelyn Campbell We were saddened with the notice of Doris’ passing. Our friendship became a special part of our lives both at ORA and traveling adventures. Doris was a very special lady filled with love, always pleasant and a joy to have as a friend.
We pray for peace, courage, and strength within your family.
Don and Evelyn Campbell
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Phyllis Gummeson (niece) I send my love and prayers to you all as you grieve! ♥️
Auntie Doris was always such a great lady; quick witted and elegant. I will miss her presence!
I’m proud to call her a part of me.
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Phyllis & Lyle Ellenson Such a sad surprise it was to learn of Doris’s passing. Our sympathy to you, Don, and all your family as you go on without her loving presence. What a marvelous gift Doris was to so many who knew and loved her.
We fondly remember her delightful smile and gracious spirit, and cherish time spent during your visits to Minnesota. May she be blessed for the goodness she shared with this world and now find joy dancing in the courts of the Lord!
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Norm & Mure We wish to convey our most sincere condolences to Don and his family for the loss of Doris. Words never seem to be enough to cover our true feelings at a time like this but Doris was such a special person and what a wonderful companion to dance through life with. She will be remembered by so many for her gracious and pleasant ways. We hope your great sorrow will be reminisced in joy by remembering her wonder contributions to all she knew. God bless. Norm House & Mure Risdon
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Peter m Clarke Very sorry to hear of Doris passing, but you have the joy of having a long and fulfilled life together and may those memories comfort and sustain you.
Peter and Lois
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Crowe family Don and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We remember Doris as a lovely lady. God truly gives wonderful gifts.
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Lana Gummeson I loved my great-Aunt Doris. She was a classy lady and always well put together. I loved the sense of adventure she had and I loved when she would come with Uncle Don out to Saskatchewan in their big beautiful bus! She was gentle and sweet and was very special. I’ll be celebrating and grieving with you all. Phyllis’ oldest, Lana
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Garth and Leanne Hannah Dear Don and Family,
We’re recalling what a fun-loving, vibrant woman Doris was. We’re so very sorry for your loss and hope the special memories you have will help you through this sad time and bring smiles to you in the years to come. Sending our love and heartfelt condolences, Garth and Leanne Hannah
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Janis & Dan Pollock Dear Uncle Don and family,
Dan and I have always felt that you and Doris have been an example of how soulmates build a lifetime of beautiful memories together. You both have been an inspiration for us.
Auntie Doris made being loving, creative and classy all look so easy. We will forever cherish our many memories of Doris.
Our deepest sympathy and love to you, Uncle Don, and all of your family.
Much love, Janis & Dan
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Beryl Johnson So very sad to lose my Auntie Doris! I have many good memories of being at her home in Moose Jaw and also visiting her beautiful home in Victoria! She was a gracious and loving host, an amazing cook, housekeeper and gardener. My mom Merle is feeling the great loss of her “little sister”! I pray that my Uncle Don and cousins will be able to find comfort in their memories of such a special wife, mom, grandma, and great grandma. May the God of peace and love be with you all during this time of great loss! Love you❣
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Grant and Michelle Don and Family
We extend our condolences to you and your family on the passing of Doris.
Our prayers of support are with you all.
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Bill Shurniak Don, my heartfelt condolences to you and your family at this very sad time. Doris will be greatly missed by all of us who had the privilege of having worked with her and have known her all these years. I have very fond memories of my early days with the former Imperial Bank of Canada (now CIBC) in Assiniboia, where I started my banking career fresh out of high school on July 4, 1949 as the junior clerk. Doris was my teacher as she vacated that position to become the savings ledger keeper. So it continued for the next couple of years as others in the branch were transferred elsewhere or resigned. Doris and I would move up a notch to fill the resultant vacancies and she inducted me into my subsequent new positions, as she also learned her new job. Years later, we liked to joke that “she taught me all that I know”, which is partly true as far as the then basic banking functions were concerned.
I’ve always treasured the friendship that the three of us shared and how that bond became even stronger since I moved back to Canada in 2005, after having spent almost 30 years living and working overseas. Keep well my friend. God bless you and your family.
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Marleen Johnson My words cannot fully express the sorrow I feel after learning about the death of Doris. May you ever treasure the wonderful times you had and my prayers are with your whole family.
What fond memories from times together at ORPS. I have been blessed to have known Doris.Love,
Marleen
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DON & DOT SWENSON & FAMILY. We send our love and prayers to all and will share our grief with Merle as we visit her in hospital.
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Corilea Benson So very sorry to learn of your loss Don and family. What a wonderful life you shared together,
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Randy Smith & Jill Bonneteau-Smith Mardi and family – We are very sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Our thoughts are with you at this time and we hope you find comfort in the love and support that surrounds you. May Doris rest in peace now that her suffering is over.
Randy & Jill
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Don and Valda (Benson) Craig Don, our sympathies go out to you and your family. What a wonderful long life you had together.
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Ron Bearman/Denis Johnson Our deepest sympathies to you and your family on Doris’ passing.
We were neighbors in Assiniboia from early childhood.
From Denis and myself, Our condolences to you all.
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James K. Jenson A loss of a loved one has rekindled the many good memories of you and Doris staying at our home when visiting the Badger, MN. family relations; also the many fun times when staying at your home on returned visits…..Good memories for sure.
Jim and Mary Jenson
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Russ and Margie Sleight Dear Don and family…. It is with heavy hearts that we extend our sincerest thoughts to each of you as you seek to accept this loss. Doris was such a very special lady and both of us are very blessed to have such grand and fun memories of times we shared over the years. May you all be blessed as well with all the great memories you have of this beautiful person.
We will keep you close in our thoughts and prayers, dear friends.
Love always and in all ways,
Margie and Russ
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Allan and Linda Webster Dear Don and family,
We are so saddened to hear of Doris’ passing. I don’t have the words to take away the pain and loss you are going through, although I wish I did!
I really loved and admired Doris. What a lovely, beautiful lady—inside and out–one to be emulated.
We feel very lucky to have connected with Doris and Don in Palm Springs. It was wonderful to be able to hear more about my Grandma’s family and “see” in Doris traits of my Grandma. I will ever keep those times as treasures in my heart!
With much love and sympathy,
Linda and Allan
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Bethany & Alex Crown Dear Don & Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Doris was such a joy to be around, and she will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to you in this time of grieving.
Love,
Bethany & Alex
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Nye Grew Don, I am so sorry to learn of Doris’ passing. I pray that you and your family will be comforted in remembrance of all the richness of Doris’ life and legacy.
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Christina and Lawrence Hannah Dear Don and Family,
Our thoughts and love are with you during this very sad time.
Love, Chris, Lawrence, and Kathryn Hannah
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Ona Bouchard My deepest sympathy to Don and his whole family for the loss of their wife, mother, grandmother, and my dear friend. I was surprised and saddened by the news. I have so many, many wonderful memories of the times we spent together as I’m sure you all do too. Doris was a absolute gem and I hope the passage of time will help lessen your sorrow. I will contact you again at a later time.
In deepest friendship and love. God be with you all.
Ona Bouchard
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robert sorochan Don, We are so sorry to hear this. You two are so special to our family. I will pass this on to Dad. We will plan to be there next Friday.
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Bob and Carol Anderson We were so sad to hear about Doris. She was a wonderful, beautiful lady. Prayers are with all of you.
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Elaine and Jack Proseilo Don and family, we are so saddened by the passing of Doris, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. We’re sure each of us will have that special Doris moment to remind us of this very special person in our lives. Our sincere condolence to each one of you , our hearts reach out.
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Margaret & Ken Ainslie A beautiful person.
A beautiful life.
We will miss you Doris.
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John & Shirley Gunn So very shocked & sad to hear of Doris’s passing. She was a treasure & loved by all who knew her. She will be sorely missed. May she rest in peace.
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Dale and Dorothy Briggs We are saddened to hear about the passing of Doris-what a wonderful lady and a great mother and mate for Don!
Our hearts go out to the family members left behind-remember the good times with dear Doris and reflect on all that she meant to you through your various stages of life!Our prayers and condolences are with you all.
Dale and Dorothy Briggs
We are very sorry to learn of Doris passing.
Thankfully we have our memories to carry us on. Our time in the Hockey Days were very special.
We also enjoyed our visit together even if it was in a Dr’s office waiting room at VGH a year or so ago.
We send our Sincere sympathy to all the Family.
John and Marilyn Bate