August 19, 1926 - December 13, 2021
The family of Doris Burrington wishes to announce her passing at the age of 95, at Villa Marie in Red Deer, Alberta. Doris is predeceased by her husband, Mike, and her beloved sister Marion Predy and Marion's husband, John. She is survived by four children: Michael (Caro); Brian; Maureen; and Megan (Doug); seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Born into a railway family, throughout her childhood Mom lived in many of the small station towns that were sprinkled throughout the province of Alberta. The work-related moves made by her stationmaster father perhaps inspired what would become an enduring interest in the history, the peoples and the places of rural Alberta and a general love for travel that would never leave her. Mom was to take many journeys in her life, and well into her retirement years she embarked upon travels throughout the world -- accompanied sometimes by her reluctant husband, but often times by an equally adventurous friend: the other "Doris". A favorite family photograph shows her as a 70-something grandmother riding a camel in Egypt, and her travels would ultimately take her to study tours of Malta and Greece, Mexico, throughout Europe and the British Isles, and from coast to coast in Canada. She met the wide world and its cast of characters with interest, great enthusiasm, and a wicked sense of humor, and always encouraged others to spread their wings and do the same.
Not one cut out for domesticity, Mom began her working career shortly after graduation from the University of Alberta with her degree in History. She was an astute businessperson, and after working for her husband, Mike, in his CA firm, she branched out and founded her own small business, which she and a small staff ran successfully until her retirement. Mom loved to work and loved to be busy, and she devoted her considerable gifts to helping the community of Red Deer in a seemingly endless array of volunteer positions. Her fondness of music led her for many years to act as secretary for the Kiwanis Music Festival, and she served well into her later years as a mentor and reading buddy at the public schools, as an assistant in the archives of the Red Deer museum, and as a volunteer with the Festival of Trees. Her service to the city was recognized when she was selected as Woman of the Year in the 1970s.
Inheriting her father's green thumb, Mom loved her flowers and plants, and each year grew beautiful and exuberant gardens that were the despair of husband Mike, who opted for a much more controlled approach to gardening. There was much that she loved in this world: her husband Mike; her books; her nightly sherry and/or scotch; time spent at the family cabin; her sister Marion; her children and grandchildren; and being of service to her community. A gentle soul and a kind spirit who met all of life's difficulties with grace and humor, Mom met the final challenges of living with dementia in much the same way. Courteous to the end, Mom departed on the gentlest and most undemanding of terms. She will be missed incredibly and loved always by everyone whose life she touched. Thanks for everything, dear Mom, and may the next leg of your journey be as filled with wonder as the one you've just completed.
Our family wishes to thank all of the incredible staff and caregivers at Villa Marie, who have devoted their lives to the care of the elderly, and who unfailingly treated our mother with love, compassion and respect during the most vulnerable and fragile time of her life. Our gratitude is immense.
Memorial donations in Doris's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada.
Condolences may be forwarded to: www.rockyfuneralhome.ca
Cremation entrusted to the Rocky Mountain Crematorium, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta.
Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements, 403 845 2626
Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes