Anna Doreen Brown (nee Lambert)

Today we grieve the passing of Anna Doreen Brown (nee, Lambert) on May 23^rd 2019.

Doreen, as she was called, was the middle child of Rufus Earl Lambert and Anna Martha Forbes’ seven children, born February 23, 1928. She was born and spent her youth in Oshawa, enjoying family outings to Lake Ontario Park. Despite the war going on in Europe her teen years were filled with family and friends and happy times.

At age 17, after a whirlwind romance, Doreen married Stuart Livingstone Brown (deceased 21 Oct 2018), a returning soldier who worked as a taxi driver in Oshawa.  Stu decided to return to the service and started on his career as a medic, taking the Brown family all over the world. From Ontario to Vancouver to Halifax, from Germany to Texas, Doreen, Stu and their three children experienced many different cultures. It was an amazing life.

She loved to organize and was a leader in whatever community she resided. She was a brownie leader, a Sunday School teacher, and the chair of many local organizations over the years. She also loved to tell stories, some perhaps a little embellished but funny nevertheless. We had the stories numbered from hearing them time and again, and once she started on one, we would yell out “favourite Story #...”.  

Once Stu retired and the children had sprouted their wings, Doreen devoted her senior years to the Annapolis Royal community. Her annual car rally was a great hit in the community, and her Canada Day luncheons, where hundreds of guests enjoyed fresh lobsters and strawberries from their garden, were famous. Very involved in the re-enactment of the landing of the Scots at Granville, and the International Gathering of the Clans, Doreen and Stu were fortunate to attend galas and balls with royalty such as the Queen Mother and Princes Andrew and Edward. A true royalist, she fainted on Prince Edward (favourite story #251), the prince not the island.

Eventually they decided to move closer to their family members in Winnipeg, where they spent their sunset years. Finally, Doreen and Stu moved back to Ottawa for their final years, to be closer to their kids, grandkids, and great grandkids.

In the words of her niece, Donna; "I'll remember her as someone who liked to enjoy life -- good food, a drink or two, a party, good company ... who enjoyed dressing up, putting on some make-up, looking her best, and going out for some food or fun, or inviting people over for the same! Who valued volunteering, being with others, and keeping up to date on the activities of her various descendants. And who embroidered pillowcases and napkins as gifts! I'm sure we all saw different sides of her, but that's how I remember her :)”.

Patti Cox, who has been part of our entire lives, is a special 'cousin/sibling', not by blood, but by the next best thing, love. She had these kind words to say about Doreen. "I offer my heart felt condolences to my cousins for the loss of their mother.  I may not be a blood relative to Doreen, but I was raised in the same sunshine as the Brown family and have called her 'Aunt' my whole life. Her children are more my cousins than my own flesh and blood.  Being an Army Brat, you find family along the way and the Browns were my family. Even into adulthood, I was embraced by my Aunt Doreen and Uncle Stu. Even spending a wild and crazy Christmas with three generations of us, together in Nova Scotia. My memories range from the age of 3 or 4 to recently, when she moved to Ottawa to be closer to Uncle Stu. For many years, we would chat on the phone when distance separated us.   After her move to Ottawa, our communications slowed down.  Suzanne and Michael would keep me abreast of her goings on. “I have always loved my Aunt's love of life and larger than life personality. She loved to travel, and I was always happy to see her pop up here and there, so that we could spend some time together. She was generous, a chatter box, funny and a dynamo. I love her dearly and will miss her tremendously. Please, Suz, Mickey and John, give hugs to each other, from me, and know I am there in spirit. Good night, Aunt Doreen. XOXOX”

Doreen was predeceased by her husband, Stuart, her parents, Rufus and Anna Lambert, her siblings, Joan Bird and Bud Lambert, and her grandson Bradley Hawkins. Doreen is survived by her siblings Norm, Audrey, Adrienne and Edna, her children John Brown, Michael Brown (Diane) and Suzanne Hawkins, her grandchildren Geoffrey Brown, Grant Babin, Colin Brown, Sean Brown, David Brown and Christopher Roche, as well as her great grandchildren; Andreya-Michelle and Caleb.

Doreen will be laid to rest next to her beloved Stuart Brown at the Beechwood National Military Cemetery, in a  private ceremony at 10:30 am 21 Jun 19. In lieu of flowers a donation in  her name to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.