Doris Elizabeth Milne (née Crossley) died peacefully at the South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Kincardine, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, in the care of her children, hospital staff and Dr. Jason Murray, after being admitted the previous day. She was 94. Born in Woodstock in 1928, she had been living at the Rosewood RVilla retirement home in Ripley, after leaving the heritage log home she and her late husband, Don, had rebuilt and renovated on the outskirts of Kincardine. Doris grew up largely in Fenwick, Ontario, graduated from Queen’s University and worked as a teacher in Toronto before marrying Donald Arthur Douglas Milne. After he graduated from medical school, they moved to Paisley, and then Kincardine. He worked as a family physician and Doris ran a busy household — as well as serving on the boards of the Bruce County School Board, Children’s Aid Society, and TVOntario, and serving as a Girl Guide leader. Together, she and Don raised 10 children, in their home in Kincardine and later on a farm near town. There, they also raised hundreds of sheep and chickens, and tended a large and bountiful vegetable garden. Children of Doris’s siblings and friends —who needed a change of scenery or school for a few months or longer — were also welcomed and introduced to the joys of farm life. Doris was a dedicated, loving and sometimes fierce mother and nurturing grandmother with a strong belief in the benefits of education and hard work. She worked very hard, herself, and always supported her children as they pursued their own goals and independent lives. Doris and Don left Kincardine after about 25 years to work at a hospital in Saudi Arabia. Then, with the United Church of Canada medical service in Port Simpson, British Columbia; and La Scie, Newfoundland, and finally with the Northern Ontario medical service in Ear Falls, and other remote communities. While Don practised medicine, Doris worked in different fields: nursery school teacher, lifeguard, yoga instructor, and ward clerk. They always returned to their log house and sprawling gardens on the outskirts of Kincardine and continued to live there in retirement, celebrating 61 years of marriage in 2012. They spent winters in Boca Grande and Placida, Florida. No matter where Doris and Don were in the world, they kept in touch with a wide group of friends and welcomed them into their homes with pleasure. Doris treasured her friendships, particularly with Dorothy Rackley, who kept in touch with her every week till the end of Doris’ life. Doris was predeceased by her loving partner, Don, in 2013; her eldest daughter, Victoria, in 2014; her brother, Kel Crossley, in 2017;and her younger sister, Mary Monteith, in the spring of 2022. She is survived by her sister, Carol Rogers (Charlotte) of Kingston. Doris’ memory had faded in recent years, but she always enjoyed reading, never complained, was always happy to see family and visitors, and was always thankful and gracious. She leaves behind her children: Michael (Jocelyn), Christie (Jim Nicol), Sara (Scott Campbell), Dan (Betty), Alice (formerly Kerry Clemen), Martha (Frank Duern), Becky (Mike Pavelick), Andy (La Tanya Hall) and Rachael (Ed Demars). Also missing Doris, are her grandchildren, Jill Stewart (Steve), Sara Brandt (Jason), Christopher Stewart (Shannon), Naomi Nash (Darrell), Spenser Milne, Chloe Gasiorowski (Mikhail), Neil Nicol, Martha Nicol (Ben), Emma Campbell, Sam Campbell (Leah), David Campbell (Lise), Shelly Campbell (Desmond), Grace Duern (Adam), Hazel Duern (Ryan), Hannah Clemen (Emil), Liam Clemen (Donna), Mark Milne (Nicola), Laura Milne (Patrick), Hillary Pavelick, James Pavelick (Laura), Charlotte Pavelick, Tsarius Guichard and Jack Milne-Jones. Doris also leaves behind her great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Olivia, Avery, Brinley, Simon, Isaac, Allegra, Trey, James, Addy, Estella, Lily, Landon, Owen, Bennett, Arlyn, Emre and Daniel. Doris’ family will gather to remember her in the summer. Memorial donations may be made to the Sagome Scholarship Project (https://
devxchange.org/campaigns/sagome-scholarship/) or the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation (kincardinefoundation.ca); arrangements entrusted to the Davey-Linklater Funeral Home, Kincardine; www.daveylinklaterfuneralhome.com. |
