Doreen Gadsby

Doreen Gadsby

March 3, 1933 – October 25, 2024

In Loving Memory
It is with deep sadness that our family announces the passing of Doreen Gadsby who died peacefully at Wexford Creek Seniors Community in Nanaimo, British Columbia on October 25, 2024, after a courageous battle with dementia.
Doreen was born on March 3, 1933 to Cecilia and Joseph Schwedelsky in Leipzig, Saskatchewan.  A few years later, her family moved to Coleville, Saskatchewan, where she would eventually meet and marry Gordon Gadsby in 1955, and have four children, Linda, Jean, Debbie and William.
In 1976, the family relocated to Red Deer, Alberta, and in 1994, when she and Gordon divorced, Doreen retired to Nanaimo, British Columbia, with her daughter, Linda and family. During her retirement years she enjoyed friendships with those she met through her weekly coffee club and potluck dinners, where she was known for her delicious home-made dishes that she routinely brought, lending a hand with the setup, decorating and cleanup, and was always up for a game of scrabble or cribbage.
Doreen was an exemplary mother and human being. She embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love, strength of spirit, and an unending generosity that could be seen in her care for her family and friends. Her legacy of love through music and cooking lives on in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren most of whom find great joy in music and love to cook. She is considered by all to be the “Best cook ever!”  Our family’s most treasured heirloom is her box of recipes, many of which have been handed down from previous generations. The world is great deal less bright without her in it and she will be deeply missed.
Doreen was predeceased by her daughter, Jean, grandson, Leslie, her parents and three siblings, Donald, Alice and Eileen. She is survived by her children, Linda, Debbie and William, her grandchildren, Melissa (Rick), Angela, Adrienne (Ryan), Christina, Lauren, and Krystal (Daryl), her great grandchildren Megan (Austin), Emily, Mackenzie, Chase, Colten, Delilah, Cody and Alyssa, and her great-great grandchildren, Addelynn and Clark.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Wexford Creek Seniors Community and Drs. Kim King and Kelvin Houghton, for their exceptional care and compassion for Mom during her difficult journey.
A private family memorial will be held at a later date.