Doreen Bertha Gillies

Doreen Exelby was the youngest of 10 children to Harold and Nora Exelby of Craik, SK. Doreen was born 2 minutes past 12:00 a.m. on March 29, 1937 and her twin sister, Dorothy, being two minutes before 12:00 a.m., made her birthday March 28, 1937.

Doreen married George Gillies on her 21st birthday, March 29, 1958. They lived on their farm at Tyvan, SK for the next 30 years, where they raised their five children.

After years of farm life at Tyvan, George and Doreen “semi-retired” to Weyburn, SK where they lived for another 25 years. Moving to Regina, SK 7 years ago, George and Doreen were together until George’s death in December 2018. Doreen continued to live at Victoria Park playing bingo, playing cards and completing crossword puzzles, all while socializing with other residents.

Doreen was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Nora Exelby; her husband of 60 years, George Gillies and 8 of her 9 siblings.

Leaving to cherish her memory are her five children: Georgina (Luc) Hollebeke of Red Deer, AB, Geoffrey (Tamara) Gillies of Tyvan, SK, Carolynn (Hans) Westbroek of Cairo, Egypt, Catherine Hoffart of Calgary, AB and Michael Gillies of Regina, SK. She was so proud of her 7 grandchildren: Danielle (Jeff) Schultz of Spruce Grove, AB, Derek (Kav) Hollebeke of Calgary, AB, Devon Hollebeke of Sylvan Lake, AB, Genevieve (Michael) Derban of Calgary, AB, Tristan Westbroek of Calgary, AB, Avery Gillies of Regina, SK and Ayla Gillies of Regina, SK and so very proud of 3 great grandchildren: Larissa Schultz of Spruce Grove, AB, Nicholas Schultz of Spruce Grove, AB and Lana Hollebeke of Calgary, AB.

A Graveside Service and Interment will take place on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 11:30 A.M. at the Tyvan Cemetery, Tyvan, Saskatchewan. Reception and Fellowship to follow at the Tyvan Community Hall.

In lieu of flowers, in memory of Doreen, donations may be sent to SOFIA HOUSE at PO Box 37125, Regina, SK, S4S 7K4 or www.sofiahouse.ca. (“Providing second-stage term housing for women & children fleeing domestic violence.”)

The family wish to acknowledge the care and love that Mom received while she was a resident at Victoria Park.