Doris Emma McIlroy (née MacDonald)

Doris McIlroy died at home in the care of her loved ones, due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease.

Cared for with great tenderness in her final months by Harry McIlroy, her devoted husband of 62 years.  Dear mother to her three children and their partners, Peter-John and Susan, Anne and Andrew and Stephen and Laurie-Anne, and cherished Nanny to her grandchildren, Ella, Erin and Dexter.

Predeceased by her father and mother, John and Edna MacDonald, and her brother Lee, she is mourned by her brothers and sisters and their spouses in the Maritimes,  Ivan and Marian, Audrey and Leland, Ken and Dolly, Georgina and Tommy, and Carol, as well her many nieces and nephews, friends and neighbours.

Doris was born in Rexton, N.B., and was brought home to Kouchibouguac, N.B., by horse and sleigh. She treasured her memories of growing up in a close-knit family and community, of crossing the river in a dory to attend school, and evenings doing homework around the kitchen table.

She was her high school valedictorian and left home to study to be a lab technician at Mount Allison University in Sackville N.B. She met Harry in St. John when she was a trainee and he was starting his career in the military. They lived in Montreal, Kingston and Germany before settling in Kanata, where Doris successfully campaigned for French immersion in public schools. She returned to university and earned a BA in anthropology and MA in Canadian Studies at Carleton University. She was a strong feminist who studied women in sport and a determined athlete who completed the Canadian Ski Marathon in her 50s. A meticulous researcher, she wrote a book about the history of those who lived and worked along the Kouchibouguac River before their homes were expropriated to make way for a national park. An accomplished potter who worked with earthenware and porcelain, she had a studio in the basement and was a long-time member of the Ottawa Guild of Potters. She was a talented gardener, baker and seamstress. She loved Irish setters, lobster feasts and getting a triple word score in Scrabble. Summer trips “down home” to New Brunswick were a highlight of every year and she also revelled in travels around the world with Harry after he retired. Doris was a remarkable woman, fiercely independent and strong-minded, intensely loyal and loving.

The family is grateful to Lise, Samira, Joycelyn, Léonie and the many dedicated caregivers who helped Doris over the past nine months as if she were family.

A private service will be held at Beechwood Cemetery.

Gifts in her memory can be made to the Presbyterian World Service and Development. https://presbyterian.ca/pwsd/donate/