Doreen Dunning, of Kamloops, passed away on June 13, 2014 at 95 years of age. She is survived by her daughter, Joan Jennings (Roger Robichaud) of Merritt, and son, John (Jane Anne) Dunning of Surrey, her grandchildren, Shawna Linn, Michael (Karen) Dunning, Shannon (Michael) Ayotte, and her great-grandchildren, Matthew and Ariel Watroba, and Owen Ayotte.
As a young child, Doreen moved from England to Duncan, BC and lived next door to John Dunning’s family. She proposed to John at age four, and they married in 1942. They were blessed with celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary on July 25th 2012. A lifetime of happy years and treasured memories.
Doreen’s family valued education, and she was proud of her academic record in Grade school and university. Frustrated in her primary role as homemaker, she sought a creative outlet through writing poetry and getting published. She also brushed up on her French, with the idea of becoming bilingual.
Mum’s greatest joy was creating and tending her beautiful gardens, wherever she lived. In fact, she remained in her own home until the end primarily because she wanted to look out on her Westsyde garden and keep her deck plants thriving.
She was a dedicated, loving wife and mother and a kind and patient grandmother. Friends have remarked on Mum’s bright wit, interest and knowledge of current affairs, love of literature and caring nature. For many years, she enjoyed fishing with Dad in Cowichan Bay, boating in the Gulf Islands and travelling around the province in their motorhome.
She will be missed, but always fondly remembered, by her family and special friends, Bonnie Jesten, Lan Phung and Heather Murdoch.