Obituary of Doris Ida Burnes

The family of the late Doris Ida Burnes is saddened to announce her passing at the Temiskaming Hospital on Saturday June 2, 2018 at the age of 96.

She was born in Dundas County on a farm where she attended the local country and high school. She trained as a registered nurse at Cornwall General Hospital and later furthered her training in Public Health Nursing at the University of Western Ontario, London. Later she worked in urban and rural communities finishing off her career at the Kirkland Lake office of the Temiskaming Health Unit.  She felt that the highlight of her career was a guided tour of the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland when she and her husband Bill were touring Europe.

They had two children: Alan, who resides in Des Moines, Iowa and Charlene of Thunder Bay. While visiting her son’s family, Doris came up with the idea it would be advantageous to buy a home in the States as a vacation spot and also “to get to know the grandchildren better”. It worked well as Will, the older grandson, was deployed to Iraq for a year at 20 years of age.  Fortunately, he returned unscathed.

Doris was quite interested in her community, serving in the Tri Town chapter of the Heart & Stroke Foundation for which she received the Ontario Volunteer Service Award. As a Master Gardner, she assisted in the Horticultural Society and the New Liskeard Agricultural Society (the Fair). She was also involved in the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario.  She and Bill attended the United Church where she served as president of the United Church Presbyterial for Temiskaming and was presented with the U.C.W. Life membership pin in March 2005.  She also served on the Board of Directors for Northern College, Kirkland Lake Campus.

She and Bill’s spiritual journey took them to Oberammergau, Bavaria in 1984 to observe the Passion Play, which was a moving experience.

Doris was predeceased by her parents, her Brother Berton Kirkwood and her husband Bill (2009). Left to mourn are her children Alan (Tori) and Charlene, her grandsons Will (Pam)and Raphael, her great grandchild Andrew and her great friends Don and Donna Dickinson.

Her family wishes to thank the staff of Northdale Manor for their consideration and care given to Doris while she was a resident there, as well as Dr. Don Davies and the marvelous nursing staff at Temiskaming Hospital.

A memorial service will held on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 11 am at the Northdale Manor.

If desired, donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation will be greatfully acknowledged.