Doreen Alvina Harbidge 1924 — 2020

Doreen Alvina Harbidge

We are saddened to share that our dear mom Doreen left us December 2, 2020. She was always proud to share the story of her beginning as an Oven Door baby. She was born March 24, 1924 in their Saskatchewan farmhouse to Ida and William Oldhaver. Her twin brother did not live. The doctor said at 2 ½ pounds she probably won’t survive so put her in a shoe box on the oven door and against incredible odds she did survive for 96 years & 8 months!

Her life partner Cecil passed away 2 years ago just after their 71st anniversary, August 2018. They fell in love during WWII after being neighbourhood friends from the time they were 10. Mom bravely followed dad on many fishing trips, their winter trips to California, many moves and building projects. Mom nursed our dad through many serious health issues. She truly was a faithful and loving wife.

Mom worked for Boeing in Richmond, BC building planes during the war. She took her teachers training at Normal School in Vancouver. She was so proud of being a teacher and taught in many different places, the last being Red Lake School and a small school on their ranch in Tranquille Valley in the Kamloops area. She was an extraordinary cook and baker, letter and diary writer, seamstress, gardener, rancher, mother, wife, grandma, foster mom, and business partner. Mom cooked delicious meals for everyone who came to their home. She cooked meals wherever they wandered in their camper van or trailers. She loved being a grandma and looked after her grandchildren when they came for weekends or extended stays. She cooked meals & cookies and delivered them to her sons and their children. She was exceptionally proud of her membership in many volunteer groups. She often was one of the original members and executive of the boards. One of her favourite places they lived was Parksville in Vancouver Island. Mom loved the small community, living on the ocean and going for walks along the beach. She left a piece of her heart there when they moved back to Kamloops. Mom wrote a daily diary on whatever was handy and kept track of meals, visitors, the weather, and what was happening. She wrote long letters to dad when he was away during the war and to Judy & Rick when they lived in the NWT and Yukon. We still have those diaries and letters to treasure.

Mom leaves to celebrate her life: sister Glady Blackwood, children Judy (Rick) Fehr, Calvin, Darryl, John (Elaine), grandchildren Kari (Mitch) Currie, Terry (Shantall), Brittney (Jon) Ekelund, Nicole (Curtis) Jansen, Will (Margo) Fehr, Caitlyn, Tyson (Kyla), great-grandchildren Maverick Currie, Leo & Griffin Fehr, Maddi & Brooklyn Ekelund. She was predeceased by her brother Alvin in 1997.

There will be a private graveside service and a celebration of life will be held when we can gather safely. It was mom’s wish that we gather in the summer when it is safe to travel.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to the Arthritis Society, one of Doreen’s charities.

Messages of condolences can be sent to fehrjudy@gmail.com www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com                                         

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One Tribute

  1. Joanne Mason
    Posted December 6, 2020 at 9:05 pm | Permalink

    deepest Condolences to Doreen’s family – . I had the good fortune to meet Doreen through my mom in her later years. Doreen always offered a warm, friendly welcome each time I visited Active Care Seniors home.
    Doreens family is in our thoughts and prayers.

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