It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, at the age of 77 years, on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 in the Riverview Health Centre.

 

She leaves as her legacy, six children: Kathy Darvill (Dennis), Ben Andrews, Bruce Andrews (Margaret), Christie Netzlaw (Jim), Jennifer Levett (Randy), and Matthew Frazer; ten grandchildren: Mitch Darvill (Erica), Rachelle Kardynal (Graham), Jade Andrews (Chas), Christopher Andrews (Courtney), Konor Andrews, Stirling Netzlaw, Gabriel Netzlaw (Jasmine), Graham Netzlaw, Stephanie Wilson (Sam), and Kelsea-Rae Hannaberry VanVark (Ryan); fourteen great-grandchildren: Rowan and Caelan Darvill, Aylah, Ethan, and Elise Kardynal, Alfie, Eddie and Nichole Cranfield, Rylee Hannaberry-Wilson, Mckinley, Parker, and Kieran Wilson, Finnagan and Theodore VanVark, as well as numerous extended family and friends.

 

Doreene is pre-deceased by her parents William and Audrey (née Benedict) Hornby and brother Bob Hornby.

Doreene was born on July 21, 1942 in Windsor, Hants County, Nova Scotia. As a child, she had many operations and procedures on her throat. These only seemed to make her stronger and more of a fighter; she never gave up, even to the very end.  Having had to start over numerous times in her life, from various circumstances, she always maintained her sunny disposition. Doreene went back to school to sharpen her skills in 1975, which lead to her working for the Department of National Defence from 1976 to 1983 in Shilo, Manitoba and spent time as a bookkeeper/secretary in Hamiota, Manitoba from 1987 to 1989. She went on to become a Senior Researcher for Brail Tone Music Society for the Blind in Edmonton, Alberta, after moving there in 1991. Doreene also worked for Community and Family Services in Edmonton from 1991 to 1992, as well as volunteering for the Society for the Retired and Semi-Retired as an input editor on News for Seniors in Edmonton. She would conduct interviews and publish stories in their paper; Mom always had a way with words and telling stories!

 

Our mother was full of life and always saw the good in people.  She greeted everyone with a smile and made them feel welcomed. Her love of cooking was shared by family and friends (especially those missing home) who would love being treated to a home cooked meal and her famous homemade buns. In her later years she returned to her childhood nickname “Dolly”.  Her love of music and dance was passed on to her children and towards the end the music could be heard playing from her room.  If there was music playing, “Dolly” could be seen singing and dancing.

 

The family would like to thank Riverview Health Centre, 2 West for the care and love you showed our mother while she was there.

 

A scattering of Doreene’s ashes will take place with family members, at a later date, as her family is spread throughout Canada. In the meantime, Doreene’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by commenting in the comments section of this page.

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When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

 

When tomorrow starts without me, And I'm not there to see;

If the sun should rise and find your eyes All filled with tears for me;

I know how much you love me,

As much as I love you,

And each time that you think of me,

I know you'll miss me too.

So when tomorrow starts without me, Don't think we're far apart,

For every time you think of me,

I'm right here, in your heart.

 

-David Romano

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