Obituary of Doris Margaret Tarasuk

 

With sadness, the family of Doris Tarasuk share the news of her peaceful passing at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital in Cranbrook, BC at the age of 88 on June 22, 2024. The daughter of Scottish immigrants Margaret (O’Donnell) and William S. Barron, Doris Margaret Barron was born at St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Ontario during the middle of the great depression.

 

Doris grew up on Howard St, then Chisholm Ave in Toronto’s east end and attended Secord Public School where she skipped Grade 4. Upon High School graduation at the age of 16 (East York Collegiate), she worked fulltime for Lever Brothers as a secretary. Doris was engaged to be married in 1955 when her fiancé was tragically taken away from her, a week before their wedding, suddenly succumbing to bulbar polio. Health department officials required immediate burial and he was interred on Doris’ 20^th birthday.

 

After taking time to travel by ship to Scotland to visit many loving relatives, Doris’ next career move was to Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories where a dashing nuclear engineer Walter Tarasuk won her heart. Doris & Walter were married on May 3, 1958, in Deep River and remained deeply in love for over 66 years. They moved to Peterborough in 1960 where together they raised four children in Kawartha Heights before taking on a new adventure and moving the family to Dolina Brook Farm in Cavan in 1973. With the kids all in school, Doris accepted secretarial positions at Nashua Canada and later North Cavan School. When Walter’s work took them to Arnprior for a few years Doris was employed at the National Defence Medical Centre in Ottawa.

 

Doris & Walter were a terrific team, together they built a log cottage (Dummer Lake), renovated two century homes (Cavan & Pakenham), before enjoying world travels and settling into their last construction adventure - their new Cavan home, on a lot kept from the family farm. In 2023 Doris & Walter moved to the Rocky Mountains of BC to be closer to family.

 

Doris is survived by Walter her truly devoted husband, her children – Brenda, Melanie McFarlane (Rick), Andrea Ingram (Gord) and Warren (Sheridan), seven grandchildren – Tara (Mike), Ryan (Mary), Katia, Kira, Grayson, Aralynn & Sasha and three great-grandchildren – Mason, Lucas & Remi, and her brother Craig Barron. Also survived by her brother-in-law Arthur (Vera), sisters-in-law Valentina, Nancy & Tomi and many nieces & nephews. Doris will be missed by special friends Enid, Joyce and Ross.

 

Doris was predeceased by her parents Margaret & William Barron, her sister June (Walt), brother Gordon (Doreen), and her fiancé Gordon Alexander. Also predeceased by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law – Mary (Everett), Tina, Michael, Jeanne, Peter (Betty), Laura (Ted) & John and nieces Ruthann & Heather, and nephews David, Doug & James.

 

Mom will be remembered for her amazing meals, pumpkin bread, her first prize apple pies and her love of cinnamon buns - her incredible resilience to overcome serious health challenges (Yes Mom, you truly were a fighter!), and most especially for her devoted loving care for our Dad. Grandma & G.G.Ma’s tea parties will lovingly be remembered by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 

Doris’ family wishes to thank the nurses, doctors and staff of the third floor at the EKRH for their wonderful care. Special thanks to Brianna, Jana and the Care Team for their support for our family.

 

A Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, August 1^st from 1:30pm-4:30pm at 582 Wilson Line, Cavan, Ontario.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations to be made to the Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation.

 

“It’ll all come together”       “Onwards & Upwards”