Obituary of Doreen Cudmore

DOREEN LYNN CUDMORE (nee NESBITT) Mom passed away peacefully surrounded by her children early Sunday morning, May 29, 2011 at the age of 91. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 64 years, Fred in 2008; brother Elwood Nesbitt; brother Ron Nisbett and his wife Edna. Left to remember a life well-lived are her children Floralyn (Warren) Wessel and their children Shana (Todd) Graham, great-granddaughters Emily and Amie Graham and Jason (Kristin) Wessel; son Bill (Brigitte) and their children James (Amy), great-granddaughter Jessica; Natalie (Dean) Katzberg, great-grandson Noah; and Josh Cudmore; daughter Brenda (Warren) Arnold and their children Jenny (Jason) Popescu, great-granddaughter Stella; Katie (Ryan) Arnold; and Scott Arnold; daughter Dawne (Greg) Zahorski and their children Lucas and Tessa Zahorski; sister-in-law Myrna Nesbitt; and special nieces, nephews and cousins. Mom was born on the farm in the Dummer Community on December 30, 1919. She took the buggy to school with her brothers, graduated from Normal School in Regina, and took her first teaching position at the age of 18, eight miles from where she grew up. Mom loved her many years of teaching in various schools over her career. She met Dad while teaching in Shackleton and they were married one week before Dad went overseas to serve in World War II. Mom served in various capacities during the war, specifically checking airplane parts with micrometers in Fort William, Ontario. Following the war Mom and Dad moved to farm at Dummer where they were actively involved in church and community affairs. The Dummer friends always held a special place in their hearts. In 1961, Mom and Dad decided to move to Regina for better educational opportunities for their children. Mom pecked? away at University classes and received her Bachelor of Education in 1975. This accomplishment was something that she was especially proud of. Mom was an active participator in life. She was a Life Member of Lakeview United Church U.C.W. and Regina Council of Women, serving as president of both organizations. She led Explorers and C.G.I.T. and taught Sunday School for 28 years. Mom canvassed for Red Cross and the Cancer Society, volunteered at Government House and the Alex Youck School Museum, and was actively involved in the Outreach and Caring Committees at Lakeview Church and with Amnesty International. She served on the University of Regina Senate and in May, 2006 she was the recipient of a Government of Canada Certificate for Volunteer work. Moms first project in her retirement after twenty-four years of teaching was editing the Dummer History Book, Their History, Our Heritage, again something that she was very proud of. She travelled the world with Dad, experiencing all continents except South America. She remained active, focusing on citizenship for new Canadians and helping with the sponsorship of refugees. She and Dad enjoyed the fellowship of Gyros and Gyrettes, and she continued her service in all areas at Lakeview United Church. Mom and Dad took special pleasure in the achievements of their ten grandchildren and went out of their way to attend their events. She knew each grandchild on an individual basis and loved each one unconditionally. In addition to Moms life work of teaching and community service, her first love was family. She led by example and has instilled in her children and their children the values that she lived by. She wasted nothing, including time. Mom was the quintessential educator including teaching her family and her new friends at the Coteau Range Manor in Avonlea how to play Tile Rummy at the age of ninety. Mom loved her time at the beach with family, nature, gardening, watching her family grow up, knowing what was happening in the world, not just her world, hosting family celebrations and dinners and dancing with Dad. Moms legacy is her life-long love of learning and always trying to make a difference in peoples lives. A celebration of Moms life will be held on Wednesday, June 22nd at 3:00 pm at Lakeview United Church, 3200 McCallum Ave. Regina, SK. Flowers gratefully declined. Those wishing to do so may make donations in memory of Mom to Lakeview United Church or to the Coteau Range Manor, Box 60, Avonlea, SK S0H 0C0. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com