Doreen Elizabeth Smith

Our beloved mother Doreen Elizabeth Smith passed away at the age of 89 at her Pickering retirement home Abbeylawn. She is survived by daughter Caroline, son Derek, sister Patricia, and predeceased by husband Alexander, son Michael, and brother Gordon. It is a challenge to capture Doreen in words. The usual things like career highlights and leisure activities don’t adequately capture her bright, vivacious spirit; she was the glue that kept her family together and in motion, when it was in motion. Her husband Alexander (called Zanny by the family) passed away on May 21, 2025, at the age of 92, and it is fitting that Doreen would pass away just four and a half months later. October 12 would have been their 68th wedding anniversary. Born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1936, Doreen did much to take care of younger sister Patricia and younger brother Gordon when her father Bill returned from doing his national service in India and became ill, passing away far too young in 1953. Doreen grew up on Urquhart Road, attended a girls’ school, later on working in the Electricity Board as comptometer operator. She met future husband Zanny at the legendary Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen. She was very attractive and dressed well, with movie star good looks, and the pair made an impressive couple! There were many trips to Caledonian Place for Sunday tea with Zanny’s family. After they married in 1957, the couple moved into Walker Road in a two-bedroom flat and started discussing emigration to Canada, which they did in 1967. The following year, they purchased a house in Oshawa. Doreen was a fabulous cook, often making traditional Scottish dishes. She was a wonderful homemaker while also holding demanding office jobs for the company TRS which prepared the meals for General Motors cafeterias. She was an energetic and inspired gardener and loved to go sailing with Zanny on Lake Ontario in their mahogany sailboat. A tender, emotional soul often moved to tears by small moments of beauty, Doreen loved the arts, and encouraged her children to pursue music, dance and theatre. Doreen loved traveling, exploring new locations and having adventures. She and Zanny enjoyed vacations to Florida with friends, and also traveled to Scotland for reunions with extended family. On her own, Doreen took trips to the UK and Vancouver, and enjoyed a memorable trip to Arizona with daughter Caroline. Doreen’s family is grateful to the PSWs, nurses and support staff at Bayshore/Traditions of Durham and Abbeylawn who so lovingly cared for her through the increasing effects of Alzheimer’s, enabling Doreen to always retain her dignity. Son Derek often took Doreen outside in the glorious summer weather to the Waterfront Trail by Rouge Hill Beach, where they shared very special moments together filled with vitality, dignity and serenity. We celebrate Doreen’s gentle and giving spirit, rejoice that her life was long and happy, and are content to think that she and Zanny are forever reunited.