Obituary for Doreen Joyce Ferguson (Surma)
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our mother Doreen Joyce (Surma) Ferguson at the age of 80. Doreen was predeceased by her beloved mother Pearl, husband Jim, and grandson and great grandson Ethan and Marley, sister in law Linda, Aunty Anne and Uncle Les Middleton.
She is survived by her four daughters, Rhonda (Blaine), Nadine (Frank), Correne, Elana (Doug), nine grandchildren, Tiffany (Rya), Cody (Courtnei), Remi, Mason (Jaime), Dalis, Joey, Spencer, Joshua, Sasha, and three great grandchildren Mackenzie, Wren, and Willow. Also left to mourn Doreen’s loss are her brother Denis Surma, nephews Kyle, Darren ( Dana – Siena & Sophie) and close cousins Gail and Keith Middleton.
Doreen was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on September 7, 1941. She was raised in the Point Douglas area living with her mother, brother Denis, Aunty Anne, Baba and Guido Surma. Although of meager means, the children were showered with love and care that made a strong impact on the woman she would become. ‘A roof over your head, food on the table and love in your heart’ was engrained in her upbringing and resonated for Mom all these years.
As a youngster Mom recounted the trips to the movies and how she was dazzled by the actors, beautiful sets, costumes, and whole experience. She was a lifetime admirer and collector of movies old and new. Another passion through out her life reading. Often found with her nose in a book, her headboards and nightstands were always overflowing with novels she would reread over and over.
She left her family home at age 19 to get married to Bill Friesen and start her own life. They had the fortune of welcoming four daughters and chose to raise their family in Transcona. Early on they took a risk and bought an old cabin in Matlock, Manitoba. It needed some TLC and work, but they knew this would provide some fun in the summer months. They even convinced The Middleton’s to also buy a cabin near by. This endeavour had provided years of laughter and lasting memories for both families.
Once her children were school aged, Doreen worked most of her adult life in office support - secretary, booking keeping etc. She lived in Calgary, Alberta for a short time in the mid 90’s until she returned and married Jim Ferguson. Doreen and Jim settled in Matlock. They both found the rhythm and simpler life in this beach side community that suited them. Mom became the local cleaning lady, opening and closing cabins through out the Interlake. Mom took her responsibilities seriously and she had a long list of repeat clients to prove it.
She loved the summers as this was conducive to her love of gardening and going to yard sales! They had a large yard that consumed much of her spare time. She would happily spend her days in the garden, pickling in the fall and every Saturday was spent wandering through yard sales, and chatting with the locals.
After the loss of Jim in 2018 and her declining health, Doreen made a difficult life decision to leave her favorite place and relocate to Winnipeg to be closer to family support. Mom often remarked that as soon as the car turned onto Gimli Road “My shoulder’s drop and I can breathe again.” Matlock was always “home” to her.
Doreen was a people person, making friends easily wherever she went. She was one of those unique people that always remembered your Birthday & Anniversaries. No occasion went by without a card of acknowledgement and usually accompanied by a phone call song. Even as dementia was robbing Mom of her speech, she was steadfast on remembering your special days. We will miss that.
We would like to thank Cancer Navigation and CCMB for their care and guidance.
The staff at the Riverview Health Centre 3E and Grace Hospice for the amazing care and compassion you showed our mom in her final days. Your dedication, kindness and professionalism will not be forgotten.
Cremation has taken place and family will announce a service in the coming months when family and friends can gather, remember and celebrate Doreen.
In memory of Doreen’s love for her cats, please donate to the Winnipeg Humane Society in lieu of flowers.
She is survived by her four daughters, Rhonda (Blaine), Nadine (Frank), Correne, Elana (Doug), nine grandchildren, Tiffany (Rya), Cody (Courtnei), Remi, Mason (Jaime), Dalis, Joey, Spencer, Joshua, Sasha, and three great grandchildren Mackenzie, Wren, and Willow. Also left to mourn Doreen’s loss are her brother Denis Surma, nephews Kyle, Darren ( Dana – Siena & Sophie) and close cousins Gail and Keith Middleton.
Doreen was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on September 7, 1941. She was raised in the Point Douglas area living with her mother, brother Denis, Aunty Anne, Baba and Guido Surma. Although of meager means, the children were showered with love and care that made a strong impact on the woman she would become. ‘A roof over your head, food on the table and love in your heart’ was engrained in her upbringing and resonated for Mom all these years.
As a youngster Mom recounted the trips to the movies and how she was dazzled by the actors, beautiful sets, costumes, and whole experience. She was a lifetime admirer and collector of movies old and new. Another passion through out her life reading. Often found with her nose in a book, her headboards and nightstands were always overflowing with novels she would reread over and over.
She left her family home at age 19 to get married to Bill Friesen and start her own life. They had the fortune of welcoming four daughters and chose to raise their family in Transcona. Early on they took a risk and bought an old cabin in Matlock, Manitoba. It needed some TLC and work, but they knew this would provide some fun in the summer months. They even convinced The Middleton’s to also buy a cabin near by. This endeavour had provided years of laughter and lasting memories for both families.
Once her children were school aged, Doreen worked most of her adult life in office support - secretary, booking keeping etc. She lived in Calgary, Alberta for a short time in the mid 90’s until she returned and married Jim Ferguson. Doreen and Jim settled in Matlock. They both found the rhythm and simpler life in this beach side community that suited them. Mom became the local cleaning lady, opening and closing cabins through out the Interlake. Mom took her responsibilities seriously and she had a long list of repeat clients to prove it.
She loved the summers as this was conducive to her love of gardening and going to yard sales! They had a large yard that consumed much of her spare time. She would happily spend her days in the garden, pickling in the fall and every Saturday was spent wandering through yard sales, and chatting with the locals.
After the loss of Jim in 2018 and her declining health, Doreen made a difficult life decision to leave her favorite place and relocate to Winnipeg to be closer to family support. Mom often remarked that as soon as the car turned onto Gimli Road “My shoulder’s drop and I can breathe again.” Matlock was always “home” to her.
Doreen was a people person, making friends easily wherever she went. She was one of those unique people that always remembered your Birthday & Anniversaries. No occasion went by without a card of acknowledgement and usually accompanied by a phone call song. Even as dementia was robbing Mom of her speech, she was steadfast on remembering your special days. We will miss that.
We would like to thank Cancer Navigation and CCMB for their care and guidance.
The staff at the Riverview Health Centre 3E and Grace Hospice for the amazing care and compassion you showed our mom in her final days. Your dedication, kindness and professionalism will not be forgotten.
Cremation has taken place and family will announce a service in the coming months when family and friends can gather, remember and celebrate Doreen.
In memory of Doreen’s love for her cats, please donate to the Winnipeg Humane Society in lieu of flowers.