Doreen Shirley Allen was born on January 13, 1932, the daughter of Edna Kielo. When Doreen was 11, her mother passed away and she was raised by her Grandmother, Louise. Doreen was inspired by her Grandmother and the strength she showed throughout her life. Widowed while carrying her youngest child, Louise raised eight children on her own, then raised Doreen as well. Doreen also spent much of her childhood with her Aunt Alice and her children, who she considered to be more like siblings than cousins. Doreen went to school in Yorkton. She met Reg Allen, who had returned to Yorkton following service in World War II and the couple were married at St. Andrew's United Church on January 17, 1953. The couple made their home in Yorkton, where Reg was employed with the Canadian National Railway. Doreen and Reg were blessed with two daughters, Karen in 1953 and Shawna in 1963. As well as working as an Order Desk Clerk with Westfair Foods, Doreen shared her love and her home with many foster children over the years.聽 She made a lasting impact on the lives of many children who came through her home, but held a special place in her heart for Jim Bright who came to the family when he was six years old. One of Doreen's greatest memories was a trip to England in 2004 to meet Reg's sister, Ivy and her family. She cherished their return visits to Canada as well. She was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies' Auxiliary and held executive positions for many years. An avid fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders (win or lose!), Doreen also loved to read and knit. She enjoyed her flower gardens, plate and angel collections and watching the beautiful Saskatchewan sunsets. However, her greatest pleasure was time spent with her grandchildren, whom she was very proud of and loved with all her heart. Following Reg's death in 1997, Doreen remained in her own home on Logan Crescent for many years, later becoming a resident of the Bentley Retirement Community and Sacred Heart Assisted Living. She passed away peacefully on Friday, December 4, 2015 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre with her family by her side. Doreen was predeceased by her mother, Edna; her grandmother, Louise; a special aunt, Alice and her husband, Reg. She leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her memory, her daughters, Karen (Nolan) Bucsis and Shawna Allen (Carol Burns); her son, Jim (Georgina) Bright; her grandchildren, Brent (Tracy) Schwab and their children, Linden and Payten, Stephen (Josie) Bewcyk, Jordee Bewcyk and her children, Greyson and Addisyn, Wyatt Bright and Cameron Stoneman; her cousins from the Knoll family as well as many other relatives and friends. Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Reverend Jen Dresser of St. Andrew's United Church officiating. The organist, Carla Laycock, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "How Great Thou Art", "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Abide With Me". The Interment Service followed in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens, Garden of Devotion with Brent Schwab, Stephen Bewcyk, Cameron Stoneman, Jordee Bewcyk, Linden Schwab and Wyatt Bright serving as the casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
