Feb 13, 1935 - Mar 5, 2018
Doris Alice Anderson, 83-years-old, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 5, 2018 at the Central Okanagan Hospice in Kelowna after a valiant fight with congestive heart failure and COPD. Her strong will to live, and the love and prayers of family, friends and many supporters carried her through.
Doris was born on February 13, 1935 in Prince George, B.C. She is predeceased by her parents, two brothers (George and Rusty) and six sisters (Lois, Wilma, Gladys, Elsie, Elaine, and Anne). She was daughter of William George Blighton, originally from London, England. Her mother was Lola Mae Brandner, born in Montesano, Washington.
Doris was a very strong, courageous, generous person with a big heart. She was known for her incredibly entertaining sense of humour. She loved to make people laugh and enjoyed a funny banter with anyone who could keep up with her. Her ease in conversation with even total strangers made Doris a great person to get to know. Her signature gift of joy shown through her bright smile, laughter and joking around, will never be forgotten.
She took great pleasure in her homemade crafts, with a particular talent for crocheting. If there were Olympics for crocheting, she would have won a gold medal. She spent many years making hundreds of cancer caps and donating them, as well as crocheting countless new baby receiving blankets for newborns in hospitals. She enjoyed making things for family and friends including lots of angels. Her attention to detail was impeccable.
She also loved the culinary world and enjoyed watching the Cooking Channel, which she did up to the time of her passing. She loved canning and trying new recipes. Her cooking was from scratch and she knew how to make a full meal out of the most limited ingredients. Her homemade buns and pickled fish were two of her specialties. Right up until her last days, she enjoyed her computer, Facebook friends and playing Scrabble online.
At the age of 18, she married her husband Elmer Anderson in Burns Lake, BC and they were married for 64 years and seven months. They raised their 3 children (Terry, Tracy and Lynn) over the years in Decker Lake, B.C. and finally moved to West Kelowna in 2006.
Her surviving family members are numerous, but mainly include:
Husband of 64 years and seven months: Elmer A. Anderson.
Mother of 3 Children & Partners: Son Terry Anderson and daughters Tracy Helgeson (husband John) and Lynn Anderson.
Grandmother to 5: Travis Anderson, Russ Guenther (Alison), Cory Anderson (Layla), Brandi Anderson and Sean Helgeson (Vicki).
Great Grandmother to 4: Ryleigh (Russ), Tyroh (Travis), Kentin (Brandi) and Layla (Cory).
Sister: Ruthie Larson.
Sister-in-law: Sonja Rowland (Doug).
Plus many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
As per Doris's request, there will be no funeral arrangements. If you would like to honour Doris, she would be happy if you would tell someone a funny joke, bake some buns or donate something homemade to a good cause. Doris always lived by the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you would like to be treated, i.e. do a loving act of kindness, make someone laugh, send a card, give a hug or say "I love you" to your special friend in her memory.
The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support in many heartfelt forms from too many people to name individually, but including: Central Okanagan Hospice team, family, friends and neighbours - either through prayer and/or visits.
Doris's life can be summed up in one sentence: Our Angel that lived, laughed, and loved.
You will be eternally missed.