HARKLEY, Doris Mary

Doris Mary Harkley (nee Maude) was socially engaging, fun & occasionally feisty, as a friend or Mom - she was always there for you. Self reliant, she was fond of saying "you deal with the cards you're dealt". Doris played her last hand & passed away in January, just shy of her 98th birthday.

Born in Feb 1924 @ Malton, England Doris and mother Constance arrived in Canada aboard the S.S. Montclare, May 1925 joining father Ernest who had previously immigrated & settled in Vancouver. Soon brother Charles was born. The family lived aboard the 42 ft 'Puddle Duck' docked at R.V.Y.C. in Stanley Park which was her playground as a child. Weekend vacations started when the bow line was untied and they were off to explore the nooks and bays of BC's southern coastline.

School days were a walk from the home dock to Lord Roberts Elementary then eventually King George High from which she graduated. Doris met Gerald Harkley while working at Boeing Canada during WW II. They married in 1944 raising two children, Margo & David and enjoyed summers at White Rock or fishing off Bowen Island / winters - skiing or ice skating locally. In later years, Doris enjoyed badminton, golf, X-Country skiing, travelling to warmer climates or driving with her soul sister and friend Shirley Wilson to catch a Blue Jays game in a distant town. She loved to drive and an overnight bag was always in the trunk, itching for a road trip. Tours were often stretched by Doris's talent of meeting and talking to any character suspected at having a good tale to tell - they all loved her. Mom was fortunate to live her last years in the compassionate care of the staff at Inglewood Care Centre. We are truly grateful at how they made her happy and comfortable. Doris was predeceased by her ex-husband Gerry and brother Charles. She leaves daughter Margo (Dave) and son David (Marianne). No service as requested by Doris.