Doreen May Nevraumont

My mother had 2 passions in life, first and foremost, was her family. Second were her puppies. Although Brenda feels that the puppies came first and us second. She may be right, because they got ground beef and we got SPAM.

Mom and Dad met on December 14, 1956 in front of the Eaton’s Mail Order where she and her friend Betty worked. Betty’s boyfriend, Ron, was picking Betty up and told my mother to jump in and he would give her a ride as well. My father was with Ron and they all decided to go for supper at Skinner’s Restaurant in Lockport. Dad asked Ron to drop him off at home so that he could pick up his “OLD JALLOPY”. When he got home to get it, Mom asked “This is an “OLD JALLOPY”? It was a brand new 1956 Pontiac.

At Skinner’s, Mom and Dad each ordered a hotdog, fries and a drink. This dinner date cost Dad 50 cents. It was all the money that he had and when he got home, he asked his Mom to lend him 50 cents so that he could get gas in the morning because he spent the last of his money on the woman he just met. He also told his mother that he had met the woman he was going to marry. Grandma looked at him and said “Eh”.

Dad and I went to Skinner’s last year for a hotdog supper and he told the waitress about his first date with Mom and how much it cost him about 61 years earlier. The whole time he spoke of their date, his eyes glowed expressing how much love he has for the woman who has shared so many years with him.

Well, on February 14, 1957 he proposed and on September 21 that same year, they were married. One year later I was born, in 1961 my sister Brenda came along and in 1965 we welcomed my brother Wayne to the family.

Growing up, we didn’t have designer jeans, top of the line clothes, 10 speed bikes or all the nifty things other kids around had, but what we did have was LOVE!!!

Mom stayed home to take care of us kids and Dad. She was a loving mother, but she also ruled the roost and doled out the discipline to the three of us kids. Our backsides felt the wooden spoon many times, until Wayne decided that he would protect us all and hid them in the floor vents. It was a few years before Mom ever found them and then knew why they were always going missing. THANK YOU Wayne for saving our butts.

Mom was always there to kiss our bumps and bruises, and trust me; it’s amazing she had any left for Wayne and me because Brenda was always getting hurt, falling on benches, having a bike dropped on her head and numerous Baker Cysts. She hugged us when we were sad and comforted us when our hearts were broken. She was our PROTECTOR, our CAREGIVER, and our HEALER for all that happened to us while growing up. Her first and foremost priority was to care for her family. She was always there for ALL of us regardless of the time or distance. When we needed her, she was there either physically or emotionally without complaint or hesitation.

Mom and I clashed lots when I was younger. I know now that it was because when she was born, they forgot to break her mold and saved it for me for when I came along. Mom and I shared similar types of happiness, humor, sadness and anger. We both had that “SPIT-FIRE” attitude which caused a lot of tension between us and it wasn’t until tragedy struck me when I was 21, that I finally realized that this woman was not only my Mom, she was also my “BEST FRIEND”.

Mom and Dad over the years have been blessed with 6 Grandchildren and 6 Great-grandchildren whom they love and adore. They loved each of them and were so proud to tell people of these wonder little people who completed their family.

After a lengthy struggle with her health, GOD took Mom by the hand on May 10 and led her home. I know that she is looking down on us today and letting us know that she is keeping her promise to love, comfort and protect us. She is also assuring us that she will always be there if we need her.

Mom, I want you to dance like no one is watching, sing like no one is listening and always know that every day we will be looking up to the heavens and letting you know how much we LOVE you. There is no other woman we would have wanted to be our Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. You will forever be in our hearts and we will always cherish our memories of you, keeping them very close.

REST IN PEACE Mom. We ALL love you with every beat of our hearts.

Our Mother

Recited by Brenda Smith

Although we cannot hear her voice

or see her smile no more,

Our mother walks beside us still

just as she did before.

She listens to our stories

and she wipes away our tears;

She wraps her arms around us

and she understands our fears.

It’s just she isn’t visible

to see with human eye,

But talk to her in silence

and her spirit will reply.

We'll feel the love she has for us –

we’ll hear her in our hearts;

She’s left her human body

but our souls will never part.

Memories from Wayne:

Well since my sisters have covered a lot, I will keep this short.

My mom was known to a lot of people and one thing that everyone will agree on was her straightforwardness and mindset of “This is who I am, so take it or leave it.” You always knew what she thought about things, and she never changed herself for anyone.

She has always been this way. Case in point, my uncle Lou once told me about the first time my dad brought her home to meet his parents. Now one thing you should know is that Dad’s mom was somewhat conservative, and even though my dad told Mom this, she still wore a skintight dress that was far from conservative. She definitely paraded her assets, and while my uncle who was younger than my dad enjoyed the show, my dad’s mom was not too thrilled. But as time passed and she saw how much they loved each other, she accepted her for who she was.

You know, my mom thought she had it all figured out, and maybe she did with two daughters, but then I came along and she soon realized that boys are different then daughters. I definitely pushed her patience to the max, and I had some fun doing it too. One day I came home from school for lunch, and inside the ashtray was a half blown up cigarette. I had to ask her what’s that, and her response was “some asshole at Rothmans put a firecracker in one of my cigarettes. I just got off the phone with Rothmans and ripped them a new one about unimpressed I am, so they are sending me a free carton of cigarettes.” I may have been young, but I knew it was way too soon to tell her that I put the firecracker in her cigarette before I left for school that morning. But I did tell her after she got her free carton of smokes. And yeah, I still got in trouble for that.

Yes, you always knew where you stood with Mom and if you were too clueless or dense to know, she’d happily tell you what she thought! But one thing was certain, and could always be seen, and that was the love between my mom and dad. Even after 60 years of marriage, anyone could see that they were still as deeply in love as the day they met. Their love was free, fierce, and pure. I will always remember that, and I strive every day to love as they did.

In closing, although she is gone, she leaves us countless memories, endless love, and treasured life lessons. Oh, and for those that were lucky enough, her coleslaw recipe.

Memories from Joyce Love:

It has now been over a week since the dog world lost one of its oldest active members. While many of you will say “But she hasn’t been active in a long time” – you are so wrong! You cannot take the dog world out of someone unless they are willing to give it up. Even as Doreen became for debilitated, her eyes still lit up at the therapy dogs in the nursing home, and with the cat Dusty who made his frequent rounds. Doreen didn’t give up her dogs, they, through ill healthy, were slowly taken from her.

I have known Doreen since she started her journey through dogs. She never walked slowly, she power walked everywhere and quite often left you behind. There was always one more thing to be taken care of, more ribbons to find, catalogues to be checked, and prizes to be sought out. She was the epitome of her beloved terriers. Quick, sharp to correct, quick to laugh, and quick to help. Her temper burst out, things got done, and back to herself again. Stubborn at times to a fault, but steadfast in helping anyone with a dog problem. A CKC director she sent out a newsletter to all CKC members in the province keeping them abreast of new CKC directives, the current tattoo letter, lost dogs, advice for newcomers, and CKC happenings for the next while. I kept them all as they were my source of information. Remember we weren’t anywhere near the electronic era in those days.

She also kept a current roster of lost and found CKC registered dogs in the province and thanks to Doreen’s vigilance many lost dogs and families were reunited. Doreen also kept track of puppies and who was breeding. She had always a current up to date CKC directory on hand. She was the go to person when you were looking for a new purebred puppy. She sometimes even kept track of dogs that she knew were out of province. If you had a question you knew that Doreen would have an answer for you as soon as she could contact CKC.

I have a few remembrances from some people that she held in high esteem:

1) Carol and RRA:

I had the privilege of being able to see Doreen almost to her last day as I work at Kin Place where Doreen resided over her last few months. It is heartbreaking to see someone who was so vital become a wisp of her old self. But almost to the end she was hungry for news of new puppies that had been born and what was going on. I had hopes that she would be able to go to the Fort Garry Kennel club shows for a short time at the end of the month, but it was not to be. She has left for a better place where so many of her dog buddies are cooking up a new show venue and picking out judges. All we can hope is that they don’t start the show without us!

Doreen was a longstanding member of the Red River Terrier Association. She joined in 1969, the year she got her first Smooth Fox Terrier, and she was one of the first members to get her 25 year pin. Doreen was a very hard worker and always very active in club activities. She served as President 1976-1981, 1984-1986, 1996-1998, and 2001-2002. She held many positions in RRTA including Secretary, and for many years was the Specialty Chairperson.

Norm and Doreen, for many years, also stored the multitude of perpetual trophies for the club. This was a difficult task as it involved polishing all the silver trophies, boxing them up again, transporting them to the show, boxing them up again, bringing them home and storing them again. Many here will have memories of Norm and Doreen early Saturday mornings in August, setting up the Specialty table and then with Doreen showing one of her Smooths, or in later years, she and Norm sitting at ringside. While Specialty chair, Doreen also organized the Specialty banquet and she and Norm made a habit of checking for all the sales so that Specialty prizes would be purchased at a reduced rate.

Researching material pertinent to RRTA was always easy when Doreen was archivist. She was a wealth of information and the archive in her head was phenomenal. She remembered everything down to the smallest details. If anyone dared to question her, she brought out the “facts” as she also kept all the club minutes, newsletters, Specialty catalogues, etc. Doreen had to give up this role a couple of years ago and it is not nearly so easy to get the facts any more! Doreen was also instrumental in the revisions to the Club Constitution and Bylaws. Here again, if we had questions as to how we should do something, Doreen could quote the relevant article!

It wasn’t all meetings and shows with Doreen and Norm. They were great hosts and ensured that the club got together annually for a fun afternoon or evening. They hosted a barbeque at their rural property in Dugald for many years. There was always lots to eat but most memorably, lots of laughter.

Doreen bred and exhibited Smooth Fox Terriers under the Wishbone kennel name from 1969 until 2013. Doreen has a very successful time in the Conformation Ring with at least two dogs that were top Smooths in Canada during her career, including Ch. Foxmoor Joe Friday who, in addition to many other group placings, amassed 51 Group Firsts. Doreen was a well respected Smooth Fox Terrier breeder who placed many Smooths as quality family pets in good, loving homes. She also acted as a Mentor to many RRTA new members throughout the years, whatever Terrier breed they owned.

Doreen did not suffer fools gladly. She was a strong woman, with a sharp intellect, and spoke her mind. But there was also a soft side to her, and she went to bat for many who were having difficulty with their dog activities.

Favourite quote from Doreen: “Dogs make good companions, terriers can make good watchdogs. Be careful – what you see at dog shows, it is not what you will have at home when you get one – unless you learn to groom and train.”

2) Dale Langille:

I was saddened to hear of Doreen’s passing. She was such an excellent CKC Director for 19 years and I was privileged to have been her Dog Show Advisor for several years as well as chairing several CKC committees with her.

We worked hard to put together that marvelous CKC 100th Anniversary show at Assiniboine Park that many naysayers said would be nothing more than a glorified sanction match. It drew a huge entry with all Manitoba judges, low entry fees, and everything available to the dog fancy at the time. Such a flood of memories come back to me and I am more than happy that I got to have a wonderful visit with Doreen just two months ago.

Doreen went the second mile to work for MB CKC members and was tireless in making sure things were fair for us. Some of you older members will well recall the newsletter she sent out several times a year to keep us updated on what was happening in our fancy.

Rest In Peace Doreen. You earned your rest.

3) From Larry Kereluke, Chairman of CKC Board of Directors

- Doreen Nevraumont became a CKC member in 1971, was a member for 48 years.

- She raised, bred, and showed Smooth Fox Terriers for approximately 35 years under the prefix “WishBone”

- A current director and past president of the Red River Terrier Association

- CKC Director for Manitoba for approximately 20 years, from 1985 – 1999.

- Founder of the canine tattoo registry in Manitoba for lost and stolen dogs

- Doreen was a member of The Standing Committee on Agriculture in 1996, and helped design Manitoba’s Animal Care Act.

- Contributor to the University of Saskatchewan’s Companion Animal Health Fund

- She was a previous Chair of the Conformation Council and the Breed Standards Committee

- She was involved in the Smooth Fox Terrier Club of Canada, which is no longer active.

- During Doreen’s tenure on the Board she served on many committees

4) Marlene RRTA:

Doreen was a pioneer of the Red River Terrier Association, joining in 1969. Throughout her time she was President for four terms, was secretary at other times, but no matter her position she was essential to the smooth running of the Annual Specialty. Described as a wonderful mentor and was a great “terrier-woman.”

5) Leila Bahourie of the CKC:

My memories of Doreen: As I look back over the years, I see that some of the best memories of Doreen was at the Board. She worked hard and was always supported at the table for whatever she believes in. She was so much fun at social gatherings during the good old days.

6) Rae-ann Wark:

I was always welcome to stay at her house with my Cairn. She always fed you will with excellent dinners. She was truly an advocate for Smooth Foxes and terriers as a whole. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Footprints

Recited by Lindsay Acevedo

One night I dreamed a dream.

I was walking along the beach with my Lord.

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,

one belonging to me, and one to my Lord.

When the last scene of my life shot before me

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

There was only one set of footprints.

I realized that this was the lowest and saddest times of my life.

This always bothered me,

and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.

"Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You,

You would walk and talk with me all the way.

But I'm aware that during the most troublesome

time of my life there is only one set of footprints,

I just don't understand why, when I needed You most,

You leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child,

I love you and will never leave you

never, ever, during your trials and testings.

When you saw only one set of footprints

it was then that I carried you."

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me....

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’d first begun.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...

we have already come.

T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...

and Grace will lead us home.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me....

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see.

* * * * * * * * * *

Doreen May Nevraumont

March 28, 1938 – May 10, 2018

It is with great sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of Doreen Nevraumont at Concordia General Hospital at the age of 80.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 60 years, Norman; daughter Karen (Brent) – Steven (Meghan), Michael, Christopher (Kari); daughter Brenda (Rick) – Jason (Steph), Lindsay (Mario), Chelsea (Chris); son Wayne (Laura); her brother Cliff; and 6 great-grandchildren. Doreen was predeceased by her father Reginald, mother Doris, stepfather John, and sister Audrey Poff.

Doreen became involved with the dog world in 1969. She raised, bred, and showed Smooth Fox Terriers for approximately 35 years, and was the president of the Red River Terrier Association. She was the CKC Director for Manitoba for approximately 20 years, and also founded the canine tattoo registry in Manitoba for lost and stolen dogs.

We would like to thank the nurses and staff at Kin Place Personal Care Home for their kindness and patience, and the nurses on the 3rd floor of Concordia Hosptial for making her as comfortable as possible in her last few hours before becoming our heavenly angel.

A Memorial Service for Doreen will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at Green Acres Funeral Home, Highway 1 East at Navin Road.

GREEN ACRES Funeral Home & Cemetery

Highway #1 East at Navin Road, Winnipeg, MB

(204) 222 3241