July 14, 1925 - October 21, 2023

Doreen was born on July 14, 1925, an only child to parents Jessie (nee Patterson) and Fred.

In her early years, Doreen lived in several Canadian locations as her father travelled extensively for his work. She attended elementary school in Weston, Ontario.

At the age of 9, Doreen and her family moved to Kirkland Lake, Ontario.

They returned to Toronto when she was 16 and she attended Lawrence Park Collegiate.

She excelled in British history and drama and graduated in 1943.

School began a lifelong love of reading that was eventually facilitated by her CNIB Daisy Machine, which read books to her after she started losing her vision.

She loved knitting and tackling many different kinds of crafts.

During the summers of World War II, Doreen served as a “farmerette” in the Niagara region, picking fruit to free up soldiers to join the military. After graduating from high school, Doreen started working at Bell Canada where she met her husband-to-be, William Robert (Bob) McDonald.

After a year-long courtship, Bob and Doreen were married on January 24, 1948.

Doreen was mother to Dale, Nancy Jane (Wayne), and Trish (Alex), grandmother to Meredith, Brent (Michelle), Meghan (Alex), Andrea (Jon), Trevor (Emily), Blair (Jeff), and Reynaldo (Tammy), and great-grandmother to Joanna, Will, Makaio, Amaris, Myles, Zoe, Rylen, Eleanor, and Audrey. Doreen was a doting Gran to each of her 7 grandkids and her 9 great-grandchildren.

Doreen became a Christian when she was 18, and attended Cooke’s Presbyterian Church. She was very active in several youth groups.

Over the next few decades she spent many summers volunteering at Camp Mini-Yo-We, at both boys’ and girls’ camp. She was active in many church ministries including Mary and Martha, Young Married Couples, Teens and Twenties, and Christian Women’s Club. Doreen co-led youth and adult small groups with Bob at many of the churches they attended. Doreen was an active member at Forest Brook Community Church and built many friendships at their Eagles seniors group.

Doreen enjoyed keeping in touch with family and friends and was known to many as the “Card Lady,” sending hundreds of cards every year to friends and family near and far as one of her primary ways to care, comfort and come alongside others.

Doreen is known for the way she cared for others, welcomed them in like family and prayed consistently for them. In 2017, Doreen moved to Bethany Lodge, a long-term care home, to join Bob in side-by-side rooms.

Doreen passed away on October 21, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Doreen’s memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or the CNIB Foundation.

Visitation for family and friends will take place at 1:00 - 2:00 PM on Thursday, October 26 at BARNES MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME at 5295 Thickson Rd. N. in Whitby, followed by a Celebration of Life gathering at 2:30 PM.

All are welcome.