Mrs. Doris Irene Robertson

Doris will be deeply missed by her children John (Christine), Rosemary (Christopher) and Mark (Nola), and her grandchildren Emily (Todd), Camille, Fiona (Abraham), Michael and Cameron, her sister G.R. and extended family and friends.

Doris was a woman of strong tastes and opinions. She was practical, compassionate, outspoken and giving of her time, heart and talents. Doris was a faithful sender of cards and letters. Her calendar was full of reminders about friends’ and families’ birthdays and anniversaries. She was a strong supporter of Canada Post! She loved the CBC and enjoyed listening to many radio programs.

Doris’s faith in God was personal and strong as she had loving Christian examples in both of her parents. She accepted Christ as her personal saviour at age ten and was baptized shortly after at Bethel Chapel at London, Ontario by her father.

Born into an Irish preacher’s family in Asheville, North Carolina, Doris was the middle child of three, with older brother Fred and younger sister G.R. The Nugent family moved to London, Ontario when Doris was four years old, to be near her mother’s family. As a child she took piano lessons and quickly proved to be a talented pianist and blessed with a beautiful singing voice. She was very involved in Bethel Chapel in London, teaching Sunday school, singing in trios, playing the piano at church and accompanying her brother’s quartet. After high school, Doris took a secretarial course and began work as executive secretary at M.M. Dillon consulting engineering firm, which she enjoyed immensely. She kept up her shorthand and typing skills throughout her life.

It was through church that Doris met the love of her life Alex while he was studying medicine at the University of Western Ontario. After Alex graduated and returned to B.C., they had a whirlwind romance by mail (including a mailed engagement ring!) and were married in London, Ontario on March 24th, 1956. They settled in Burnaby where Alex had his medical practice and raised three children, John, Rosemary and Mark in a beautiful home they built on Braemar Avenue. They lived in this home until 2014 when they both moved to Delta View Life Enrichment centre due to their declining health.

Along with her husband Alex, Doris was a faithful supporter of youth and university work through Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, (specifically Pioneer Pacific Camp and SFU - I.V.C.F.), as well as the Union Gospel Mission. Doris used her talents as a pianist for decades accompanying services at Granville Chapel and Killarney Park Mennonite Brethren Church. Doris was a devoted fan of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood and loved to sing favourite songs of his to her children as she tucked them into bed: Good Night God and I Like You as You Are.

Doris had a passion for reading which really blossomed once she joined her book club where she made lasting friendships with several women. She was a consummate hostess and entertained at a level that would have made Martha Stewart proud. Doris was a master baker, especially of pies. Her very boozy trifle was a perennial hit at the Granville Chapel pot luck dinners! Doris enjoyed volunteering in many ways throughout her life, including helping children with their reading at Buckingham Elementary school, as an accompanist for Rosemary’s choir at Suncrest Elementary, driving for Meals On Wheels, at the Crisis Pregnancy Centre and the MCC thrift store on Fraser Street in Vancouver.

Doris and Alex spent sixty-two years together as loving husband and wife, raising their family and enjoying their many travel adventures together. They particularly loved their many cruises and happy holidays in Palm Springs, Great Britain and the Holy Land. Last November Doris lost her beloved Alex at age 93. We know she is now reunited with Alex, free from her failing body and mind and with her Saviour, Jesus Christ.

The Robertson family would like to extend their deepest thanks to the caring Baycrest staff at Delta View Life Enrichment Centre, for their gentle and thoughtful care of Doris, our much loved sister, mom and nana.

Please join the family in celebrating the life of Doris Irene Robertson at Forest Lawn Funeral Home on Nov. 22nd at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please make your charitable donation to Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship or Union Gospel Mission.