Doris Pauline (Edwards) Keasey

Doris Pauline Keasey (1924-2022) (Née Edwards)

Born in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan on November 8th, 1924, the 7th of 11 children, our beloved Mother’s contagious laugh was silenced on October 19th, 2022.

Doris’ wonderful smile is a memory and will be missed by her children: Marie (Thamesford), Donna (Halifax), Mark (Ingersoll), and Shawn (Ann) (Kensington, PEI).  Also survived by her Grandchildren: Natasha (Chris), Natalie (Matthew), Nathania (Andy), Rachelle, Andrew, and their mother, Céline; and, great Grandchildren: Kyle, Skye, Josie, CJ, Summer and River, and, Sister-in-law, Anna Keasey.

Family was extremely important to Doris and all her nieces and nephews were special to her. She welcomed and enjoyed their visits, cards, and calls. Doris was a special elder to Geron (Nicole), Marsh (Haley), and Kai Bindseil.  Mom welcomed all her children’s friends into her home and they brought her great joy and were encouraged to learn and play Skipbo with her. She always played by the rules and loved any game, including Bingo.

Doris was predeceased by her husband John (2005) whom she married in 1948 and her Granddaughter, Krista (1976), all of her siblings and their spouses: Sarah, Mac, Donnie, Jimmy, Billie, Margaret, Bobby, Jannette, Kenneth, and Joanna. It was difficult for Mom to be the last of her generation.

Mom was an amazing baker, supplying special cakes to classrooms, the bank, and to many others in Thamesford. She did special cakes for anniversaries and birthdays as far away as Thunder Bay. All of her children and many others had incredible birthday cakes every year even as adults.

Doris was a talented seamstress, sewing both the girls’ and boys’, her own clothes and incredible costumes; a quilter who made beautiful and meaningful pieces. Some remember the frame being set up in the living room for long periods of time.  After retiring, Mom took up oil painting and created some picturesque work.

Always active, whether working in her own cleaning business which included Cold Springs Farm, the Royal Bank, various other businesses in Thamesford, and homes, she could be seen walking around the Village at 5 am, bicycling to do errands, gardening at home and looking after other’s gardens. She passed her love and knowledge of gardening onto her children.  Doris was an avid bowler (10-pin and then 5-pin) into her 80’s. She participated in the Seniors’ Games for a number of years.

After retiring, Doris took a remarkable trip to Oberammergau, France, England, and Scotland, where she visited many relatives on both the Edwards/Stallwood side of the family and the Keasey side. One of the highlights was a burlesque show in Paris. Doris travelled much of Canada, from Coast to Coast. She bravely took her 4 children to Expo 67 in Montréal, organizing all of us to stay in someone’s home, the train, and the Expo passports, without speaking French.  Many trips to Saskatchewan, Thunder Bay, Alberta, BC, NS, and PEI were special memories.  While Cod Fishing (she hated the taste of cod after childhood experiences with cod liver oil), she caught a fish when participating in one of Shawn and Ann’s pre-wedding activities. Mom was game to try any activity at least once.

Mom moved to London in the 1940’she found her work home at Walker Drugs (now Coulter Drugs), as a postmistress and drug store clerk. She commuted to London via the Greyhound bus daily after moving to Thamesford, until she started her own business.

A proud prairie girl, she adapted to whatever her circumstances were and was ready to volunteer whenever there was a need. Mom was a voracious reader and loved her cozy mysteries. She thoroughly enjoyed live theatre, concerts, and hockey games; attending many professional, community, and family events. She particularly liked hearing friends and family play music.

Mom looked forward to visits from Gerard Hamoen over the years at home, in the hospital, and at Woodingford Lodge, sharing stories and discussions about politics, the comics, and other news. She appreciated his friendship, prayers, and copies of his sermons, which she kept and read on Sundays.

Doris was very grateful to her Team of “Girls” from the Assisted Living at Home program. She missed their company and help whenever she had to go to the hospital and then on to Woodingford Lodge.

The family extends thanks to the kind and caring staff at Woodingford Lodge, Woodstock, where Mom made her home since February 2022. A special thanks to the “A” Team (you know who you are)

Our hardworking, warm hearted Mother, the Skipbo Queen mother is at rest.

Donations may be directed to the following:

Woodingford Lodge, Recreation Program 300 Juliana Drive, Woodstock, ON N4V 0A1; or

Ingersoll Seniors Services, Assisted Living at Home Program, 250 Ingersoll St. S., Ingersoll, ON N5C 3J7,

Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, PO Box 175, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 4H5, Or a charity of your choice.

Celebration of Life Saturday, May 6th, 2023 at the Beaty Room (Thamesford, Ontario Library) from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM