Doreen was born and raised in Victoria, BC. As a young woman, she worked as a telephone switchboard operator and later at the naval dockyard in Esquimalt. Her job there entailed ordering the fuel and lubricants for the naval ships and establishments west of Winnipeg and north to the Arctic.
She came to Powell River in 1951 when she married the love of her life, Leo Johnson. As there weren't enough houses available in Powell River at that time, Doreen and Leo made their first home on a large sailboat, the Tusitala, in Desolation Sound, where Leo operated his logging business. In 1955 they moved into a new house in Westview.
Doreen always loved Powell River and thought that it was a great place to raise their four children. She was a wonderful mother and homemaker who loved to cook and bake. She will always be remembered for her delicious blackberry pies. Other interests included gardening, playing golf, bridge and piano.
When her husband retired in 1979, they moved to Coquitlam. The following year, after being a full-time homemaker for almost 30 years, Doreen went to work at BCAA in the membership department. She worked there for 15 years until her retirement.
After Leo’s passing and having been retired for many years, Doreen returned to live in Powell River in 2006. She rekindled old friendships and made many new ones. She had a wonderful retirement. There was time spent with family, dinners, celebrations, concerts and lunches, and golfing with her friends at Myrtle Point. She played her last game of golf at the age of 89.
An avid reader with a love of geography, Doreen was always interested in current affairs. In her later years, she watched the news from all "four corners of the globe." For many years she volunteered with the hospital auxiliary. Doreen liked to travel, and had trips to Mexico, Hawaii and Europe, to name a few. She took many cruises and had wonderful road trips with family.
Doreen was predeceased by her husband Leo, parents Jane and Alfred, sisters Florence and Margaret and brother Kimberly. She is survived by her four children: daughters Nancy Bennett (Jerry), Susan Beauregard (Gerry), sons Brian (Tami) and Leo Johnson, and stepsons Patrick and Robert Johnson. She is also survived by her sister Jane Spence (Bill), brother Alan Hine (Sheryl), and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Doreen was a lovely lady, a good person with principles who always did her best. She was a classy lady with a good sense of humour and a great laugh.
Doreen loved to recount and pass down the stories and history of her family. She was an advocate for justice and wanted everyone to be treated equally. She inspired her family and will be missed by everyone.
Special thanks to Dr. Awopetu, Dr. Coetsee, the staff at qathet General Hospital, Vancouver Coastal Health and the Medical Clinic. Thank you, too, to care-aid Christene Gagnon and neighbours Brian and Christine Hill.
Doreen passed peacefully surrounded by loving family. There is to be a graveside gathering for family held at a later date.
