Doris E. Haynes passed away with son Jack and daughter -in-law Grace at her side in Williams Lake Hospital on August 19, 2010.
Doris was born February 19, 1922 in Nut Mountain, Saskatchewan, one of twelve siblings. She moved to British Columbia where son Jack and daughter Penny came into her life.
In 1957, Doris moved to Burns Lake where she ran her own restaurant, favourite haunt of travelers, working men and locals. Doris never forgot how you liked your eggs, and
always cooked them to perfection.
Lou Haynes, a handsome cowboy, came into her life, and they left together for the Chilcotin where they lived for many years. They ran a game guiding business, and in the summer, Doris was camp cook, with Lou at her side as foreman of fire-suppression crews at Tatla Lake. With her wisdom, guile, good humour and a down to earth understanding of how life works, Doris became a strong influence, and “Mum” to many young men over those years. During that time, in the seventies, Lou and Doris built their “round house” in Eagle Lake, where they loved the rugged ranch country and life on the lake. An unforgettable woman, decades later, many would stop in to visit her, wherever she could be found. Pictures filled her fridge of the growing families of her “camp boys”, alongside grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
In 1989, health issues brought them to settle near friends in Yarrow, BC. With an unsurpassed ebb and flow of drop in visitors they loved to chat, drink Doris’ amazing blends of hand-crafted wine, and solve the problems of the world. There was no finer place than a spot at Doris’ kitchen table.
Doris cherished time spent with her sisters, as they celebrated each birthday, and sadly, mourned each passing.
Pre-deceased by Lou Haynes, Doris continued to work her huge garden, can veggies and smoke fish, bake the best bread, make wine and entertain an array of friends, neighbours and visitors to her little house in Yarrow, until moving back north to Williams Lake two years ago, where she enjoyed being close to family and friends from the Chilcotin.
Doris leaves behind sister Edna of Cranbrook, son Jack Simpson (Grace) of Williams Lake, daughter Penny Simpson of Burnaby, granddaughter Heather Simpson of Vancouver and grandson Jamie Simpson (Breeanne) of Trail. She was also “Mom” to Ken McKeen (Holly) of Chilliwack, and “Grandma Doris” to Jamie-Lou and Joe McKeen of Chilliwack in whose hearts she lives on.
Doris was aunt and great-aunt Doris to hundreds of the “Stevens Clan” across Canada, and will be sorely missed as “Mum” to the many Tatla Lake Forest Service personnel of the 1970s.
Doris will be forever remembered fondly by many close friends in her beloved Chilcotin and in Yarrow, BC.
No formal service is planned. Doris is to be cremated and her ashes are to be spread in the Chilcotin as she has requested.
“A Gatherin’” is planned for the future.
In lieu of flowers: a donation can be made in Doris’ name to Project Healing Waters Canada. http://projecthealingwaters.ca/supporting-phwffc/
The very thoughtful arrangements have been provided by LaPrairie’s Funeral Services of Williams Lake.