Doreen (Cowie) Sunderland

Doreen Isabel (Cowie) Sunderland

Doreen, beloved wife of the late Harvey Sunderland and the sixth child (of ten) born to Ernest and Mae Cowie.  Doreen was born on the farm (SE 34-29-27) North of Marengo on July 28, 1927, and passed away at Heritage Manor in Kindersley, SK on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at the age of 93 years.

On October 27, 1951 Doreen and Harvey were married in Kindersley and lived on the family farm South of Marengo for 26 years until Harvey’s sudden passing on November 12, 1977.  Their marriage was blessed with six children, Valerie, Bryan, Holly, Shari, Melody, and Leanne, 13 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. 

Doreen continued to live on the farm full time until she purchased her retirement home in Kindersley in 1990.  Between the years of 1990 through 2006, Doreen enjoyed the best of two worlds- spending spring and summers on the farm and the winters in Kindersley.  Doreen will live on in the hearts of her loved ones and friends.  She approached every day of her life with kindness, a hearty laugh or two and a beautiful smile.  Family was very important to Doreen.  She had a great love of music and enjoyed the old-time music and dancing.  Doreen was an awesome cook; she enjoyed baking and trying new recipes.  In her early hears she enjoyed participating in sports, especially ball and curling, and in her later years she enjoyed watching curling.  Doreen’s warmth, contagious laugh, and the “laugh in her voice” will be missed by many.  She was such a special lady and such a ‘dear daughter, wife, mom, grandma, sister, auntie, and friend’.

Doreen will be lovingly remembered by her children: Valerie (Bryan) Morgan, Bryan Sunderland, Shari (late Blair Watson) Arthurs, Melody Sunderland, Leanne (Robert) Spencer, and the late Holly Sunderland.  She was a loving grandmother to 13 grandchildren: Melissa (Jon) Todd, Darrin (Heather) Morgan, Amber (Greg) Rudychuk, Melinda (Derrick) Drozd, Chris (Danica) Arthurs, Jason (Andrea) Songhurst, Shane (Jody) Songhurst, Robyn (Kory) Stanley, Rikki (James) Norrie-Loewenthal, Nikki (Brendon) Wakefield, Mitchel Hogg, Tanisha (Mike Morrison) Sunderland-Hogg, Shelby (Curtis Worthington) Hogg.  Doreen was also a loving great-grandmother of 22 beloved children.  She will be fondly remembered by her brother Jim Cowie, her sisters Grace (Alan) Johnson, Irene Draper, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Doreen was predeceased by her loving husband Harvey, and beloved daughter Holly; her parents, Ernest and Mae Cowie, Harvey’s parents, Lorne and Vera Sunderland; brothers Bill, Alvin, Basil, and Don; sisters Lorna Coutts, Inez Kidd; brothers-in-law Eric Coutts, Harvey Kidd, Harry Gassner; sisters-in-law Audrey Gassner, Audrey Cowie, and Kay Cowie; nephews Bob Gassner, Bob Kidd, Wayne Cowie, Alan Coutts, and nieces Wendy Draper, Linda Gassner, and Vera Gassner.

Doreen’s family is especially grateful to the staff of Heritage Manor in Kindersley for the loving care given to Doreen these last five years while she resided there.

Due to COVID restrictions, there was a private family service in the Marengo Community Hall on Wednesday, March 10th, 2021.  Pallbearers were her grandsons; Darrin Morgan, Chris Arthurs, Jason Songhurst, Shane Songhurst, Mitchel Hogg, and Austin Arthurs.  Interment was in the Marengo Cemetery.  Memorial Donations in Doreen’s memory may be made to the Heritage Manor Ladies Auxiliary, C/O Prairie Rose Floral & Gifts at 400 Main Street, Kindersley SK.

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