Obituary of Enid Ruth Dowling
On Wednesday, May 2, 2018, Enid took the final step passing from this life to the next. Born in 1934, Enid was predeceased by her parents Rev. Stanley Gardner and Marjorie Gardner (nee Coates); as well as brother-in-law Douglas Drennan. She is survived by daughter Kelle (Michael) Crosbie; siblings Patricia Gardner, David (Donna) Gardner, and Dora Drennan. She will also be fondly remembered by long-time friend, Norma Cowell. And of course, her three “granddogs” will miss the treats at “Nana’s” place.
Courage comes in many forms. It takes courage to live a life with blindness, to be a single mother, to face a diagnosis of cancer. Enid faced these along with many other adversities with quiet strength and determination. As a child, Enid left her home in New Brunswick to attend the residential School for the Blind in Halifax. Upon graduation she moved to Ontario to train as a dictatypist winning awards for her proficiency. She worked in Topeka, Kansas and Buffalo, New York in medical and business offices. In 1970 she travelled to Seeing Eye in Morristown, New Jersey to get the first of her three dog guides and companions. Moving back to London, Ontario in 1971, she was one of the first people in the city to have a service dog. She appeared on a local news show and visited many classrooms and children’s groups to educate people about service animals. She also volunteered with a suicide prevention hotline, served on the board of the London St. Thomas CNIB, and helped mentor newly blind adults. Moving to Regina in 2004, she became a member of the local Canadian Council for the Blind volunteering as needed and participating in recreational cribbage.
Although she never had very much, she never wanted more than she had. She loved a good mystery, listening to the opera, feeling the sun on her face, and enjoying her son-in-law’s Sunday dinners.
Her family wishes to say a special thank you to the nurses at the Allan Blair Cancer Center’s Radiation Therapy, the amazing Palliative Home Care Team, as well as the caring staff at Wascana Grace Hospice.
At her request, a private family graveside service in Riverside Memorial Park in Regina, SK, will be held at a later date with Jennifer Holtslander officiating. Flowers most gratefully declined. Those so wishing, may make donations, in memoriam, to the Faith Fund at the Regina Humane Society, P.O. Box 3143, Regina SK, S4P 3G7 or Regina Wascana Grace Hospice, Regina Wascana Grace Hospice, 50 Angus Road, Regina, SK, S4R 8P6.
“Sleep Well Mom Where Sheep May Safely Graze”
