Mrs. Doris Lillian Braathen

She was born on July 20, 1925, in Edmonton, Alberta, to Everett and Lillian (Byers) Ethridge, and grew up in the Rossdale community. Doris was the eldest of three sisters and was predeceased by her beloved husband, Sigurd Braathen (July 6, 2018), and her siblings, Irene (1927–1985) and Louise (1936–2023). As a young woman, she began working as an usherette at her father’s theatre in Edmonton, and later worked with CN Rail Parcel Express throughout the war years. She left her position when she married Sigurd.

On June 16, 1948, Doris married Sigurd Braathen of Valhalla, Alberta, in a ceremony at Norwood United Church in Edmonton, officiated by Dr. Young. Together they built a life centered on family and care for one another. They lived in Edmonton until 1956, when they moved to Vancouver, and later settled in Burnaby.

Doris will be lovingly remembered by her cherished children: Linda (Rick), Russell (Jane), Sandra (Stan), and Glen. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Kim (Smith) Snowfire (Matt), Cindy Smith, Adrian Smith (Christy-Lynn), Catrina Lee, Daniel Lee (Laurie), and Candace (Lee) Davies (Jason), and a great-grandmother to Lochlan Lee and Elizabeth Lee.

Doris had a warm and friendly spirit and was known for her love of line dancing and flowers. She also enjoyed painting, especially during her travels, and her family proudly displays many of her paintings in their homes.

She and her husband, along with their family, shared many happy times playing card and board games together. She enjoyed connecting with people through her work as an Avon representative and later in real estate sales, where her kindness and genuine interest in others made her well liked by many.

In their retirement years, Doris and Sigurd became avid travelers, exploring far and wide with their trailer—a pastime they first embraced in 1965. They also enjoyed taking cruise vacations, including a memorable journey for their 50th anniversary that began in Miami, travelled along the eastern coast of South America, crossed to Africa, continued on to Portugal, and through the Mediterranean before concluding in Greece.

In her later years, after moving to assisted living in 2016, Doris became an avid puzzler, often enjoying puzzles with her children and grandchildren when they visited—a quiet pleasure she carried with her to the end.

She will be remembered for her strength, her independence, and the quiet care she showed to those around her. Doris lived a long and full life, rich in family, friendships, and simple joys.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Shaughnessy Seniors Community in Port Coquitlam for their compassionate care and the kindness shown to Doris in her later years.

A viewing and visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 26 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby. A funeral service will take place on Wednesday, May 27 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed by burial from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. A reception will follow at Sandra and Stan’s family home in Port Coquitlam.