Doris Winnifred Stewart (nee Waddell)
1923 ~ 2018
Doris Stewart passed away peacefully at noon on January 5, 2018 at Tatagwa in Weyburn, Saskatchewan surrounded by her immediate family following a medical event the day following her 94th birthday which she celebrated on December 20th. Doris remained alert and was communicative to her final moments in which she expressed her joy to being re-established with her husband who passed away in the spring of 2010. Her arms and heart were open to her journey ahead.Doris was predeceased by her parents, Russell and Nellie Waddell; husband, Donald Smith Stewart; grandson, Jonathan Cooper and son-in-law, Bill Cooper.Doris was the youngest of a family of eight, four boys and four girls. They were raised on a mixed farm three miles from the community of McGee, where they all went to school from primary through to high school. In winter they travelled to school in a wagon box with sad irons placed at their feet to stay warm. Bath night was Saturday night in the house and everyone took turns sharing the water that finally ended up in the garden for the plants. Doris completed Grade 12 and was the Valedictorian for the graduating class. Following graduation, Doris moved to Calgary in 1943 where some of her brothers and sisters were living. Doris met her husband Donald Smith Stewart, who was enlisted in the, Royal Canadian Air Force in 1944, in Calgary and was married December 1, 1944 at Hillhurst, United Church. Don and Doris had two children, Donna born in 1945 and Robert in 1948. They were a military family and travelled extensively. Their Canadian postings included Calgary, Alberta, Rivers, Manitoba, Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Edmonton, Alberta, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Trenton, Ontario, and lastly Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where they retired from the military in 1972. In addition, they lived 3 years in Germany (1956-59) as part of their military service. They retired to Kenosee Lake, Saskatchewan, where they purchased a farm that they operated for 25 years. In 2000 they settled in Carlyle where Doris provided love and care to Don as he struggled with the onset of Alzheimer’s that eventually contributed to his passing in March 2010. Doris moved to Eden Homes in Weyburn where she resided until the spring of 2017 before settling in to Tatagwa. Doris had a variety of jobs throughout her life, mostly working as a book keeper for several businesses as they lived their nomadic military life. At Kenosee Lake she worked seasonally several years at Kenosee Gardens, a major tourist facility. Doris was heavily involved with Girl Guides during the Germany years and was dedicated to her children and grandchildren where she provided selfless devotion to providing all with generous love and attention. Doris and Don’s doors were always open to family and friends. She and Don were heavily involved in the development of the resort village of Kenosee Lake where Don served in the role of mayor for several years providing leadership to the administrative independence of that community. Doris had an incredible mind and was an avid writer and she compiled extensive memoirs that will continue to serve as a powerful testament to a life lived full of love and kindness. She was the last surviving sibling of her family and of the family of her husband, but her memory and love resonate through her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, the latter of which are just starting their journeys, the youngest of which is 9. Doris expressed her love to her surviving family to her last mortal moment and always found a way to light up her eyes, to smile and put a smile on the faces of those close to her, she was a great lady. Doris will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Donna Cooper of Calgary, AB; son Bob and his wife(Marthika) Stewart of Calgary, AB; grandchildren, Terra and Jarrett and 4 great grandchildren. At the request of Doris there will be no formal service and interment will follow at a later date. Donations in the memory of Doris may be made to the Alzheimer Society.
Condolences may be left at:
Arrangements entrusted to
Fletcher Funeral Chapel
Weyburn, Saskatchewan
306-842-5432
