Doris (VanKesteren) Opdenvelde

Doris will be deeply missed and forever loved by all the people whose lives were touched by this feisty, loving and funny woman. She will live on, in countless ways, through her devoted children, Betty, Joe, Connie, Laurie and Linda. Her six grandchildren, Sarah, Ryan, Christopher, Grace, Tessa and Austin will treasure the memories of their beloved Oma. May her great grandson, Lincoln, always remember her delight when he connected with her and called her OmaOma. Her dearest friends, Annie (sister), Hank (brother), Carol (sister-in-law), Patty (her ‘daughter’) and Heather (her buddy) will especially feel the hole in their hearts until the love and memories of Doris gently fill up that empty feeling.

Doris spent most of her 94 years on earth caring for people and their homes, tending to gardens at home and at the cottage, sewing countless outfits, masterfully playing bridge and weaving mats for the Milk Bag Project. She made life more joyful and easier for so many people.

Doris opened her heart and her home to many friends who would become like family. Being the eldest of ten children, she was used to welcoming yet another person into her life! She invited so many people to sit around her table and share a meal…a meal that she usually cooked.

Doris loved being in service to others, in both small, almost unnoticeable ways and big, life-altering ways. It was how she shared her love. It was her life purpose even as she aged.

Doris ‘worked’ her entire life. It was not in her nature to retire. Any project or interest she took on, she took on and gave it her all. She used to tell her children, “If you are going to do something, do it right. Or don’t bother doing it at all!” And then, there was her famous line, “Do your best.”

Doris lived by what she preached. She headed the Milk Bag Project in her retirement community at Revera Glynnwood in Thornhill. Doris was grateful for her Glynnwood Family, especially the loving people on staff who connected with her in special ways.

She literally worked every day. There were rarely any days of rest because Doris had to work. She had to keep her hands busy and be in service of someone, making the world a better place by using her own two hands.

As her body shrank and her strength lessened, she kept ‘working’ until a turn of events had her hospitalized for two weeks, and then moved into rehab for nearly six weeks. She was tired but she kept pushing herself. The push did not last as long but she still did her physical therapy, knotted milk bags in bed, and even weaved mats on the frame that her son brought into rehab. Until…

On September 22nd, Doris told her son, “I am finished working. I have done everything I need to do. When Betty comes in October, I’m going to say goodbye.”

On September 27, she was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia, and hospitalized. Doris was immersed in the love of family for two days and encouraged to let go of her body. Her work was done. Quietly and peacefully, Doris passed in the early morning of October 4th.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Doris’ honor could be made to a charity of your choice.

A Visitation for Doris will be held Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home - Thornhill on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 12:00pm. A Memorial Service will follow at 1:00pm (live streaming available). A reception will follow the Memorial Service.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kanejerrett-thornhill.ca for the family.