Doreen Way (Major, retired) passed away quietly on Thursday, August 24, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. She was the daughter of Gennevieve (nee Laing) and Donald Way of Toronto. She is predeceased by partner and soul mate of 33 years Bernard (Bernie) Wright (Lieutenant Colonel, retired) and leaves behind much-loved family: sister Margaret (Ron Sandelli) and her family Sherry (Kevin Tisdelle), Sheila Sandelli and their children and grandchildren. From Bernie's side she leaves behind stepchildren Kevin, Deborah, and Neil Wright (Sandra); grandchildren Katie (Keiran), Emily, Meghan and Caitlin Wright. The love and affection of all made life an entertaining journey and a solace in the last months.
Doreen attended public and high schools in Toronto then studied at University of Guelph where she graduated in 1970 with a B.Sc. (Hons.). After internship in Edmonton, she qualified as a dietitian and almost immediately joined the Canadian Forces as a Food Services Officer.
For 25 years Doreen enjoyed military life and the associated travel. Overseas postings, once to Germany and twice to Egypt, hatched a travel bug that never died. Along the way she met Bernie and together they fed each other's passion for music, cuisine, wine and more travel. Often travel destinations were chosen for how well the other interests could be indulged in. Every trip was an adventure with plenty of chances to face down old fears and meet new challenges, ready or not.
After their military careers Doreen accompanied Bernie on his longer UN tours and volunteered with UNICEF in Jordan and Medecins Sans Frontieres in Kenya.
Doreen took up bridge later in life and enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the three ladies in her group. Their friendship and twice weekly card games helped her through the toughest times of her life, right to the end.
She volunteered for more than 20 years at the Carefor Day Program at the Perley Hospital where she helped seniors with dementia enjoy their day away from home.
Doreen felt she had a fortunate and interesting life, without many hardships and blessed by strong friendships and loving family.
Special thanks to friend Barbara, cousin Raven-Leigh, Ottawa Medical Oncology unit and the MAID team.
Instead of flowers please donate to a charity of your choice.
There will be a Celebration of Life at the Beechwood Cemetery on Friday, September 1, 2023. Private interment will be at the National Military Cemetery (Beechwood) immediately following for family and close friends.
Celebration of Life for Doreen Way
Where: Borden Fleming Room, Beechwood Cemetery
Address: 280 Beechwood Ave., Vanier, ON K1L 8A6
Date: Friday, September 1, 2023
Time: 1 to 3 pm
RSVP: Kevin Wright (613-298-6279 or kevin@oldfox.ca)
Digital Guestbook
Jane Parkhouse
Christiane and Krimo
We met Doreen and Bernard in a night market in Laos probably 2012. We discovered quite by chance we were booked on the same hiking tour the next day. We were all travelling like „backpackers of a certain age“. Bernard Doreen, Krimo and I hit it off instantly, so much so that we decided to travel together for the next 5 or 6 days, on rickety boats, in weird vehicles, with many wonderful and some shady people that Bernard confronted in his inimitable authoritative way that they ran. We laughed about this for days, helped by our fair share if Lao-Lao drinks at night. Bernard and Doreen came to visit us in Bangkok for a few days a few years later and it was like seeing old friends. Never a dull conversation, always inspiration. In 2019, Bernard shared with us one if his famous travel masterplans for a trip to Colombia, so we travelled in their footsteps, once again, and with both if them very much on our minds, as always. Those memories will stay with us forever. Doreen inspired me to write a feature article about backpacking travellers of a certain age and I quoted her in it. She shared the dry observation that there wasn’t much difference between young and old backpackers, „except that these days I travel with two packs of hair colouring in my baggage“. Vintage Doreen. The article is in German but I add the URL here: https://www.spiegel.de/reise/aktuell/senioren-als-backpacker-a-837722.h…
Christiane and Krimo
CWO (Retired) M. R. (Mel) Pittman
It is with the utmost of sadness that I receive word of the passing of Maj (Retired) Doreen P. Way, the former longtime partner of the late LCol Bernie Wright. I met Doreen on several occasions during my Military career and also enjoyed a wonderful dinner at their residence in Ottawa. Ever the gracious host, Doreen made you feel welcome and comfortable in her home. God Bless Her!
Heather Starke
I had the pleasure of meeting Doreen through our Ottawa wine club. In just a handful of meetings, it was easy to see Doreen's incredible spark, and sparkle. She always had the most thoughtful questions – and could remember the rare wine regions and grape varieties that were hard to pinpoint on a detailed wine map in any corner of the world. She took the time to understand the lives of others, and always expressed kind, and wise, words. And, there was such incredible light in Doreen's amazing, beautiful smile!!
Doreen you will be so dearly missed. I raise a glass of the very best to you. Cheers.
Barbara Burton
Dear Friend, I will miss you so much. I'm thankful for all the memories.
Pierre Lemire (CWO ret'd)
Reading through the many comments of people who knew her well, it has become clear that everything I thought of her is actually true. The kindness, smile and joie de vivre that she projected was something that many people work hard at, to achieve. She was a natural and I really enjoyed speaking with her because it was (to me) melodic to listen to her as being a musician comes easy to capture that aspect in a person. A very fine lady with a huge heart, you will be missed Doreen.
Linda Colwell
My sincere condolences to Doreen's family and close friends. Our days as Food Services Officers are long past but Doreen's leadership, advice and overall cheerful perspective remain fresh in my mind. She will be missed.
Georgette Khoury
I am so saddened and cannot express my feeling. Doreen was Bernie's best companion, Her kindness, friendliness, warmth and grace touched my life. We spent beautiful times in Jordan together. Her memory will continue to be an endless inspiration to me.
Rest in peace my dear Doreen.
Carol Schell
Doreen was a mentor, exemplary officer, and a role model to many, including me. I was privileged to call her a friend. She was a kind, thoughtful, interesting person, a pleasure to spend time with and share our related interests. I will miss her.
Doreen was a very lovely lady who's company I enjoyed and wish I could have spent more time with. Condolences to the family, she will be missed.