DOREEN MAY MENDIS

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DOREEN MAY MENDIS

Doreen passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 31, 2020, with husband Tyrrell at her bedside.
She was predeceased by her sister Felicia, and brother-in-law Annesley. She was the maternal aunt and godmother of Chandran (Ramyamali), and grandaunt of Selinka.
Doreen was born in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in 1932. In Ceylon she was a school teacher, then a judge's personal assistant. In 1967 she was selected as an official hostess for the Ceylon Pavilion at Expo '67 in Montreal. She came to Canada in 1968. In Winnipeg she first worked in the catalogue department at Eatons, then for the Bank of Montreal securities department for 26 years.
Doreen was a very faithful Anglican who regularly attended services at Holy Trinity Anglican Church.
Over the years she fostered children through World Vision, and donated to numerous charities.
She was a strong-willed woman who ensured that whatever she undertook was successfully completed. She was always ready and willing to help. All one had to do was ask. Several organizations did.
Doreen's interests were wide-ranging: travel, photography, cooking, sewing, gardening, crafts - and volunteering. She also liked animals. She has been to all the continents (visiting 38 countries), and to every province and territory of Canada. When in her 70s she hiked up to and around Machu Pichu in Peru, and twice climbed Mount Sinai in Egypt. In previous years she had clambered up several pyramids in Mexico, and hiked the trails in New Zealand. Her photographs of these journeys fill many albums.
She was also an innovative cook. Never at a loss, if necessary, she would substitute alternatives for the ingredients called for and still come up with tasty dishes. Gardening was another interest. In addition to a small garden, she always had potted plants around the house. She liked to sew and found time to make her own clothes or alter store-bought items to meet her needs.
Doreen cherished her relatives and friends. She always remembered their special occasions with gifts and cards that were carefully handcrafted for each individual.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Doreen's choice, the St. Boniface Hospital Research Foundation, or else to Deer Lodge Centre where she was cared for close to ten years. You could also record your condolences at www.cropo.com.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 07, 2020