Our family said goodbye to Doreen in February, who left this world at the age of 94. She was a loving wife to Roy Perkins, mother to John, Richard, Lesley and Susan, grandmother to Michael, Riley and Elise of PEC, Tyler, Kyle and Rachel, Katrina and Whitney, Jake and Chase, as well as her great-grandchildren. She embraced those whom we chose as partners-in-life and made them feel special and welcomed. Doreen grew up in war-torn England, having lost her Mum days before the war began. She married Roy in 1953 and followed him months after their wedding, across the Atlantic to New York and on to Toronto during a fridged December. Together they built a future, raised a family with love and devotion, gathered together a community of friends as our extended family, and travelled the world, seeing 42 countries on their earnings as TTC bus driver and Hudson’s Bay cashier. Doreen spoiled her grandchildren and their children, telling each in turn that they were her favourite. She was adventurous, spirited, loved a party, adored Engelbert Humperdinck, and was disappointed she never got to hike up Machu Picchu. India was top of her bucket list, and she and Roy finally made that overseas trip, their last, at age 81. Roy had not been keen to go, but finally gave in so she could fulfil her dream. Roy asked, “What do I do if you die over there?” And her response was typical Doreen. “Well then wrap me in white muslin cloth and just float me down the Ganges.” She will be greatly missed. The family wishes to thank Crystal, Helen and the kind staff of Chartwell Bayview in Belleville who saw her through the Covid years. Thank-you to the wonderful staff of the John Parrott Centre in Napanee, with a special thanks to Dr P. Robichaud. We also wish to affirm what many of us know, that the medical professionals in the Quinte and PEC region are exemplary and we are truly fortunate to have them working on our behalf.

A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends Saturday, April 05 at 1:00pm to 3:00pm, at Trinity St. Andrews Church, 56 Prince Edward St, Brighton. Light refreshments will be served. Donations in Doreen’s memory to UNICEF in support of the children in Ukrainian, Palestine and elsewhere are welcomed.