Dorene Beverly Fraser-McArthur

With heavy hearts, the family announces the passing of our mother, Dorene, 68, Strathlorne, Inverness Co. She passed away in Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital on Saturday, August 3, 2013.

Born on April 6, 1945, she was a daughter of Catherine and John Duncan Fraser. Dorene attended Strathlorne School and finished Holy Angels High in 1963.She went to Halifax for her Certified Nursing Assistant, then took her Operating Room Technician Course. Dorene was employed by the Halifax Infirmery for over 10 years as an O.R. nurse. Dorene was currently employed by Strathlorne Forest Nursery for 28 years.

Dorene believed in being educated. She did Academic Upgrading at Strathlorne Learning Centre in 1994-1995. She completed a small business and book keeping course in 1995 from the College of Cape Breton and graduated in 1996 from NSCC, Strait Campus with Business Information and Technology. She was awarded an Honours Introductory Certifiate in Administrative Medical Procedures from Mactech Distant Education.

Dorene was a lifetime member of St John's United Church in Strathlorne. She was employed and volunteered at Inverness Raceway for over 20 years. She was the BBQ lady on the barnside for 13 years and is still the current President of the Ladies Auxillary.

Dorene was a brilliant, hard-working, single mother. She was sweet and sincere and would do anything for anyone. Dorene loved to go for walks, hiking, and loved her gardening. Dorene was diagnosed in 1984 with skin cancer. She was a Cancer survivor for 27 years until she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. Dorene went through her cancer treatments like a champion until her cancer metastasized to her brain and bladder.

Dorene is survived by son, John MacArthur, Fort McMurray; daughter, Tammielee Gillis (home); granddaughters, Dana Boudreau and Dara MacEachen; brother, Laurne (Joanne) Fraser, Strathlorne; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Fraser, Middleton; and Audrey Fraser, Kenloch; several neices and nephews; many cousins, and friends. Predeceased by brothers, Hector, Rev. Gordon, Garry(Geraldine) Fraser, and special friend, Raymond "Slim" Gillis.

Visitation will be held in Inverness Funeral Home on Friday, August 9, from 2-4 and 7-9pm. Funeral service will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. in St. John's United Church, Strathlorne, Pastor Maggie Plant celebrating. Burial to follow in St. John's Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Central Inverness Palliative Care Society or to Ladies Auxillary of the Inverness Playground and Recreational Association. Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com.