Doreen Elsie Stone

Doreen Elsie Stone (née Hayes) passed away at home a few days after her 95th birthday. She is survived by children David (Jennifer), Ronald (Vickie), and Denise (Peter); granddaughters Nadine and Laura; and great-grandchildren Evelina, Linden, Jack, and Cole. Jack, her husband of 61 years, died in 2013.

Doreen was born to Mary and Russell Hayes in Qualicum Beach, and grew up in Westview (near Powell River) where her father had a garage business. When he went to join the RCAF, Mary ran the business while bringing up Doreen, her sister Irene, and her brother Gordon.

After the war, her parents bought a boarding house in Vancouver, and Doreen went to the Fairview School of Commerce. She met Jack, a civil engineer, and they were married in 1952. When David was born in 1954 they moved into their first home in North Vancouver. Ronald arrived in 1956, and Denise in 1958, so they built a new home on First Street.

When David was about ten, Doreen created the first of her famous Christmas honeycake houses. These were exquisite log cabins made of gingerbread, with hand-rolled logs, candy roof, a sleigh, a tree, and a wishing well brimming with treats. There was one for the family, and more to be auctioned off to raise funds for the school library, where she was a volunteer.

When the kids were older, she re-entered the business world as a valued employee at Coast Testing and Strand Foods.

The family spent many golden summers in the trailer on their waterfront lot at Qualicum Beach. Upon retirement in 1987, Jack and Doreen built a home on the property. She quilted, grew flowers and vegetables, welcomed visits from the family, and enjoyed being just a few minutes away from her mother and sister. Over the years she travelled with Jack throughout western North America and Hawaii, with Denise to Egypt, and with Jennifer to Montreal.

Whatever else she and Jack were doing, they encouraged and supported their children in all their endeavours. They were always there with advice, help with projects and repairs, and many generous gifts. They helped all their children buy their homes and businesses, ensuring their security.

Doreen and Jack moved back to North Vancouver in 2011. Denise found them an apartment in a wonderfully friendly building, the Carleton. When Jack passed away Doreen bought a condo in the building, where she had many friends who did all sorts of things together. Doreen spent several days a week up at Denise and Peter's North Shore Equestrian Centre, helping wherever she could.

Denise and Peter bought their country home in Chemainus in 2019, and Doreen went to live with them. Ron and Vickie were just up the road at Cassidy. She continued to grow fruit and vegetables, bake, make jam, and contribute in any way she could. She took up carpet bowling (making yet more friends) and adopted Zippy, her little dog.

A celebration of her life will be held in Chemainus in the spring of 2025. Donations in her honour may be made to BC Children's Hospital Foundation or the Nature Conservancy of Canada.