Date of Birth: January 21, 1926
Date of Death: August 3, 2024
Helen “Doreen” McPhail of Whitewood passed away peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at the Whitewood Community Health Centre at the age of 98 years. She was predeceased by her parents Fred and Nellie (nee Southwick) Stevenson; her husband, Don; son Wayne; brothers Fred and Bob and sister-in-law Muriel Stevenson. She will be sadly missed by her daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Glenn Potts; her grandson, Tyler Potts; her granddaughter, Sheena (Jason) Gatzke; her great-grandchildren, Aidan and Amara; her sister, Evelyn and brother-in-law Ralph Frith; and many much-loved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Doreen was born on the family farm in the Armentieres district north of Whitewood. She loved being part of the Armentieres community where she took most of her schooling and formed lifelong friendships. She spent almost all her life in the Whitewood community – Nokomis and Nipawin were home for a few years in the mid-1950s.
Doreen had many interests: gardening, reading, photography, astronomy, bird watching, sewing, crafting, doll collecting and music were some of them. She worked in the office at Francis Auction Service for several years and enjoyed forming new friendships with those she met. Doreen was a wonderful supporter of her husband Don’s business. She was often tasked with staying home to answer the business phone while Don was delivering fuel and, of course, supported Don’s Whitewood Orioles coaching duties where she formed strong and lasting bonds with many of the players. Family and friends were always welcome, and she enjoyed visiting with, and hosting, all who came her way. She struggled daily to cope with the loss of son Wayne in a 1969 car accident – her world had been forever changed, but she did her best to carry on. She fully embraced her roll as “Gram”, and she spent hours caring for and entertaining her grandchildren.
Doreen was a gift to all who knew her – she will be forever missed and loved.
A funeral service to celebrate Doreen’s life was held on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, at the Whitewood United Church with Rev. Barbara Wilkins officiating. Interment took place in the Whitewood Cemetery where she was laid to rest between her husband, Don, and her son, Wayne.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Whitewood and Melville.
