Date of Birth: February 2, 1929
Date of Death: June 26, 2023
With great sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of our inspirational family matriarch; always self-assured, wise, quick-witted and engaged with family and friends until her last day. Our Mom lived life with great tenacity and resourcefulness.
Emily Doreen Taylor was born in Cotham, Sask. and grew up on a farm in McDonald Hills, Sask. Her dad, James Taylor ran the farm and her mom, Ethel Taylor (Willway) was a school teacher. She attended school in a one-room school house most of her young years. Being raised in rural Saskatchewan and living through the “Dirty 30s” shaped her life. Those supportive rural community connections helped shape her welcoming, caring demeanor and she came to know the value of working hard, earning money and spending it wisely. Mom left the farm to work as a Royal Bank teller in Balcarres, Esterhazy, Regina and Melville. Her many skills included having a phenomenal memory, paying attention to detail, as well, she was highly intelligent, with a keen mind for mathematics.
Mom and Dad married in 1955, together raising four children. Dad continued his career with the CNR and Mom worked at the bank until becoming a homemaker. They were a good compliment for each other and day by day they created an extraordinary life for their family. She was a natural manager and connector at work, and eventually of their home, children, and extended family and friends. They bought and developed a lakefront recreational property and built a cabin at Crooked Lake in the Qu’Appelle Valley. “The Lake” became a central hub through the years where family and friends gathered and enjoyed many holiday times.
She was an amazing cook and baker and many favorites came out of her kitchen. Canned preserves, jams from hand-picked berries, perogies, cabbage rolls, tortas, beignets, donuts, gluten-free cookies, jam-jams, fruit cake and home-made bread to name a few. As well, she was a talented seamstress, sewing for many occasions including, wedding attire, leisure suits, quilts, skating costumes and outfits for her children.
She maintained her Christian beliefs as an active member of the All Saints’ Anglican Church. As well, she donated many volunteer hours to worthwhile community organizations including Kinettes, Melville Figure Skating Club, Round Lake Dance Club, and All Saints’ Women’s Evening Guild (VP and President for 44 years!) The Guild raised funds for the Church by organizing teas and rummage sales and Mom was always making dainties and slices for the many events that she helped organize.
In 2018, as their health changed, Mom and Dad relocated to Calgary to be closer to family. After 64 years of marriage, Dad, died in June of 2020 at the height of the pandemic. In May of this year (2023), his ashes were interred in Melville Cemetery. This family road trip from Calgary allowed Mom the fortunate opportunity to visit with family and friends that she hadn’t seen for a long time.
She was a natural story-teller and together with help from family created several publications that will be treasured: “Dining with Doreen” (2011), “My Saskatchewan, Memories of a Young Girl’s Prairie Life” (2021), “Senyk Family Tree” (2022), as well as many interesting memories of her adult life that were written during the secluded days of the pandemic.
Our family will forever be grateful for the values she lived by and instilled in them. Left to grieve are: brother-in-law Stephen (Sandra) Senyk; sister-in-law, Natalie Senyk; children: Reg (Karen), Joyce (Brian) Gamborg, Norma (John) Oliver, David Senyk (Wendy Keegan); grandchildren, Jackie (Shane) Cummins, Darren Senyk, Leiflyn Gamborg (Drew Hood), Mackenna Oliver, Gordon Oliver, Jeff (Mirrah) Keegan; and great-grandchildren, Chloe Cummins, Ivan Hood, Jack Keegan, Calvin Keegan. Predeceased by grandson Erik Gamborg.
Family wish to express their appreciation to Dr. P. Lalli (Calgary), the caregivers at Scenic Acres Revera for their care and Dr. A. Eshawesh (Melville).
A funeral service and graveside interment will be arranged at a later date in Melville, Sask.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to All Saints’ Anglican Church, 602 Main Street, Melville, SK, S0A 2P0.
