DOREEN ORLOFF

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DOREEN ORLOFF Doreen Orloff died peacefully on January 16, 2001, with her husband at her side, less than a month after celebrating her 52nd Birthday and Christmas, her most favourite time of year. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Richard Orloff; her son Michael and daughter-in-law Myriame; her mother Josephine Prowse; brother-in-law Donald Orloff and her niece and nephew, Jessica and Kelly Orloff. Her "grand-dog", Basil, will miss her too, particularly their walks and backyard romps. Doreen was predeceased by her father James Prowse in 1989. Doreen was born on December 20, 1948, in Winnipeg, the only child of Josephine and James Prowse. She received her education at St. Marys Academy. After graduating from Grade 12, Doreen moved briefly to Vancouver. Upon her return to Winnipeg, she went to work at the Department of Vital Statistics. She also enrolled for lessons with Joe Vine Driving School; not realizing the direction of her life was about to change significantly for her driving instructor was a young man called Rick Orloff. Rick and Doreen married on October 25, 1969. Their son, Michael, was born the following year. In the early years of their marriage, Doreen remained at home with Michael and babysat her neighbours little boy who was the same age. By the time Michael reached school age, Doreen was ready to leave the house in pursuit of other challenges. In the mid 1970s, she went to work at Consumers Distributing, first as a Clerk and then as a Manager of their Southdale Store. It was a position she held until Consumers closed in 1996. After that, she worked for a short period at Peoples Jewellers. In 1997 Doreen accepted a position at Independent Jewellers as the Manager of their gift shop. It was a position she held up until the day she learned she had cancer. Family and friends meant the world to Doreen. Although a homebody at heart, the door to her home was always open, with or without an invitation. Her easygoing manner, sense of humour, and perky disposition were trademarks of her personality all her life, even during the darkest moments. Doreen had the rare gift of being able to look at old things in new ways, a trait which benefitted her both at home and at work. Creatively she was never still. She enjoyed the challenge of computers and was more often, than not, found in her home office pursuing desktop publishing, from developing retail catalogues and brochures to designing anniversary and birthday invitations for friends. She loved music and played the organ. Her fondness for koala bears is reflected in her collection of the stuffed variety and the koala pictures on her office wall, including one of her own ink drawings. A memorial service will be held for Doreen on Saturday, January 20 at 11:00 a.m. at Korban Funeral Chapel, 907 Main St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Doreens memory to the Childrens Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, CE501-840 Sherbrook; The Childrens Wish Foundation, Manitoba Chapter, 350 St. Mary, or to the Rainbow Society, 302-171 Donald St.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 19, 2001