Doreen Alice Winnifred Ambridge, aged 75, passed away at the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice in Ottawa on May 26, 2024.
Doreen (Deen) was born in Ottawa on October 5, 1948 to Thomas Ottawa Ambridge and Margaret Alice Ambridge (nee Thomson). She is predeceased by her parents; her brothers John ("Jack"), Lynn, and Dale ("Pidge"); and her sister Dawn. She is survived by her three daughters Dallas, Dale, and Lindsay; grandchildren Averi and Aaron; great-grandchildren Jackson and Katelyn; sisters Carol and Linda; and many nieces and nephews who will fondly remember her as Aunty Deenie. She will be missed by her loyal and close friends, Nancy Richardson and Aase Olsen, of 45 and 36 years, respectively.
Doreen was a skilled craftsperson, with a passion for sewing dolls, clothes, and just about anything else she turned her hand to.
She was a woman with a good heart, often extending a helping hand to those in need. She was a caregiver to family, and did so as an occupation as well, having worked in senior residences and a group home. She was known for going the distance when others stopped at "good enough". She held several other jobs in her lifetime but her favourite was serving as a bus driver for the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority in Florida. In the last days of her life, she shared many funny stories of being a trolley driver.
She will perhaps be best remembered for her zany sense of humour and her love of pink flamingoes, fascinators, and the Florida sun. She was a prankster and a rebel, a clever and resourceful problem-solver (like her dad), a lifelong Elvis fan, and a larger than life character to many.
Her ashes will be interred in Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, next to her beloved father.
Her family wishes to thank the compassionate and skilled staff and volunteers at the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice and the Ottawa General Hospital. The photos of our mom donning fascinators with many of you will be treasured.
A very special thank you to her cousin Barry Ambridge and his family for bringing her to rest with her father.
If desired, donations would be gratefully accepted to the Hike for Hospice in memory of our mom: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-perth-and-district-community-foundation/p2p/hike-for-hospice-2024/page/in-memory-of-my-mom-deen-doreen-aunty-deenie
Digital Guestbook
Micheline Bazinet
Marjorie Gimson Aucoin
To Deeny's family, my heartfelt prayers to all of you. She and I reconnected after many years - she in Florida at the time and I'm in Calgary. We used to live down the highway from each other and I heard from her on May 16, answered right away, but had no phone number just her email. I was sad that I never heard from her again but that was probably when she was near death's door. I am so sorry. She was indeed a rebel and a straight shooter. Although we hadn't seen each other for years, we picked up where we left off - those teen years from long ago. May she rest in peace now that there is no pain. Deepest condolences to all her family.
My sincere condolences to Doreen's family and friends. My heart goes out to all of you. Doreen was one-of-a-kind and will be missed.