Obituary of Doris Irene Moss

Doris Irene Moss, nee Sawyer

January 26, 1926 - July 5, 2022

 

It is with great sadness that the family of Doris Moss announces her passing on Tuesday July 5,2022 at the age of 96. Doris passed away peacefully at The Pines care home in Kimberley, BC surrounded by family and friends.

Doris was born on January 26,1926 in Cabri, Saskatchewan to Andy and Emma Sawyer. Doris grew up on her parents’ farm in Saskatchewan and was the second oldest of 7 children. As a young child, she witnessed her parents and other members of the farming community struggle to feed their families during the Great Depression/Dirty 30’s.  Many lessons were learned about taking care of one another and caring for neighbours during challenging times.  Doris lived out those early lessons and example set by her parents by continuing to care deeply about others throughout her life.  Upon completion of high school in Regina, Doris enrolled in business college at Balfour Technical School in Regina.

After receiving her diploma, Doris secured work at a manufacturing company in Vancouver where her brother Allen was employed.  Together, they embarked for Vancouver on the train and decided to stop in Kimberley, BC to visit their sister Violet.  Violet convinced Doris to stay in Kimberley where she found work for Doris at Kimberley City Hall, working as secretary to then mayor, Cliff Swann and city clerk, Don Corker.  As fate would have it, in October of 1946, she accompanied her sister Violet and husband Bill Vickerman to a dance at the KP Hall. It was on that night she met the love of her life, Art Moss. Art was the son of Ernie and Nancy Moss who started the original Kimberley News in 1935. Doris and Art were married in the Kimberley Anglican Church on October 4, 1947, and afterward enjoyed four care-free years touring around on their Harley Davidson motorcycle.  Doris spoke fondly of those years and their adventures on their motorcycle.  On October 23, 1951, they welcomed their son Colin into the world. In addition to working at Kimberley City Hall, Doris also worked as secretary to the local school inspector, and her excellent shorthand skills were sought after by the R.C.M.P. for court cases and inquests.

Doris and Art travelled and resided throughout BC and Alberta until 1959 where they settled in Vernon, BC where Art found work in the printing business at the Vernon News. Doris and Art spent many happy years together in Vernon, and on September 29,1961 their daughter Sandy was born.  During their years in Vernon, and nearby community, Lavington, Doris worked part time at a local real estate office and volunteered on the Vernon Crisis Line. She also loved to spend time in her garden - her flower gardens were legendary.

Art passed away in Vernon at the age of 88 and Doris continued to live in Vernon until 2015 when she moved to Garden View Village in Kimberley and in 2018 made the move to The Pines. Mom and Dad were blessed with a long and happy 66 year marriage and there wasn’t a day that went by after Dad passed that Mom didn’t speak of him and their good luck in finding each other and how she longed to be with him. They were true soulmates. They were recognized by everyone as a classy, compassionate and caring couple who made many lifelong friends along the way. Family was all important to Mom and she considered the staff at Garden View and the Pines as true family and friends. In return they cared for Mom like family would and this level of care will never be forgotten. Along this journey of life Mom handled the challenges that came her way with courage, dignity and understanding. Mom was one of those true ‘teachers’ in life that lived by the Golden Rule and served as an example of a life well lived to all those who were privileged to know her.

 

Doris is survived by her son, Colin Moss (Janice Found), daughter, Sandy Hughes (Steve), grandchildren Evan Moss (Shannon Wightman), Brent Hughes, and Jessica Lenz (Alden) as well as great grandchildren, Zach and Ryan Moss, and Arthur Lenz. Doris is also survived by her sister Joyce Weir, and brothers, Cam and Larry Sawyer. In addition, Doris had many nieces and nephews plus their children who were dear to her as well as many lifelong friends. Mom knew and never forgot all their birthdays and major life events.

Predeceasing Doris were her parents, Andy and Emma Sawyer, her beloved sister Violet Vickerman, and dear brothers Allen and Vernon Sawyer.

A memorial service will be held for Doris on September 30, 2022, time and location to be announced. The family requests no flowers and those wishing to make a donation in Doris’s name to the local Salvation Army, Covenant House, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated.

Our family is forever grateful for the wonderful care Mom received at The Pines and Garden View Village where she made lifelong friends with both residents and staff.  We also wish to thank Dr’s Ryan Lunge and Kate Buddo as well as Nigel Kitto for their compassion and great care of our Mom.  Mom will be missed by all who knew her, but we take comfort knowing that she is now in a better place with our Dad.