DOUGLAS, Doris
1930 - 2020
With sorrow, we announce the passing of Doris Simone Douglas (née Mackean) on December 6, 2020. Doris died peacefully at the age of 90 at St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto. A widow since the death in 2012 of her beloved husband, Colin, she leaves her devoted sons Ian (Kathy) of Toronto and Simon (Pamela) of Dundas, Ont., her brother Boyd (Denise) of Denman Island, B.C., grandsons Jacob, Samuel, Matthew, and Thomas, and nine nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by older brother Raymond and sister Joan.
Born in Tatamagouche, N.S., to Antoinette (née De Lasalle dit Sanschagrin) and Harry Mackean, Doris was the third of four children. Her education began in a one-room schoolhouse, she graduated from the Maritime Business College, and in 1950 she moved with her family to Quebec. As a young woman, she lived and worked in Montreal, and discovered a love of travel that led to a four-year stay in the United Kingdom and friendships abroad. She met Colin through a work connection on a blind date, was engaged two weeks later, and married him in 1965. Their two sons were born in quick succession. They lived in the Montreal area throughout their marriage, first downtown, then in Havre-des-îles, then settling in Baie d'urfé, where they occupied the same house on Rue Victoria for more than 40 years.
Doris was a joiner and loved meeting people. She was a vibrant and deeply engaged member of the community, studied gerontology to support her volunteer work with seniors, took the role of Bagheera in the Cub Scouts, volunteered at Lakeshore General Hospital, led exercise classes at Vie Active, and attended St. Giles and later Briarwood Presbyterian Church, where she was actively involved. Doris and Colin enjoyed outings and lectures with Friends of Catherine Parr Traill and wine tastings with the Baie d'urfé Winemakers Club. The annual Canada Day parties hosted by Doris and Colin were memorable. She and Colin travelled the world in their retirement, taking pleasure in the complexity and beauty of nature and the intrigues of genealogy. Doris supported her family unconditionally and was always eager and interested to know what everyone was up to. She made people feel welcome. Doris treasured her network of friends and was sad to leave them when she moved to Toronto in 2014 to be closer to Ian and Simon. We will miss Doris.
We are grateful to the attentive staff of Briton House, where Doris spent her final years. A memorial service will be held in Montreal when COVID-19 restrictions allow family and friends to gather safely. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Ecomuseum Zoo (https://zooecomuseum.ca) or the Morgan Arboretum (https://www.mcgill.ca/morganarboretum) in Doris's memory.