Obituary
After a brave battle with cancer, Doris Ann Marquardt, aged 66, passed away on May 15th, 2022, at Kelowna Hospice. In the week leading up to her passing she was surrounded by family and friends. Then, in the early hours of Sunday morning, was delivered softly and quietly unto her Lord and Saviour.
She is predeceased by her parents William and Marjorie (Hale) Cardiff of Westville, NS, and her brother Paul Cardiff of Creston, BC. Left to mourn her passing are her three children, Kathy (Ken) Foster of Langford, BC, Dustin (Jordan) Marquardt of England, and Michelle (Taren) Marquardt of Calgary, AB; Brothers Bill and Tom Cardiff of Westville, and New Glasgow NS, respectively, and her former partner, and lifelong friend, Dennis Marquardt of Castlegar, BC.
Born in New Glasgow, NS, the daughter of a coal miner and a homemaker, Doris spent the first 6 years of life in the small Nova Scotian County of Pictou. Then, Doris’ father, following in the footsteps of his sister Nettie and her family, packed up his Cardiff clan and started fresh out West in Salmo, BC in the West Kootenays.
Doris, who may have been considered a wild child by some, at a young age, gave birth to her first daughter Kathy. Having no father to claim Kathy as his own, and being so young herself, Doris left Kathy in the care of her father and mother to raise, who at their respective ages of 44 and 40, were also expecting the birth of their third son Bill.
At the age of 15 Doris met Dennis, the man she would later marry, and with whom, in 1981, on the shores of the Arrow Lakes in Nakusp, BC, would come to start a family with. Prior to that, she would find herself back on the East Coast in `71, `77, and `79. The first time by way of thumb with a girlfriend, and the next two with Dennis traveling by way of car. Life had been an adventure of one kind or another, and after Doris and Dennis were wed on July 19th 1975, life would quickly become a new adventure, one about settling down and having a life with her husband and a family that would soon come to be.
Family and faith in God were at the centre of who Doris was. Starting her journey in Christianity at the small Pentecostal Church in Nakusp, then the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nelson that she would call home for many years, followed by the smattering of churches that would follow, would be a source of strength for Doris but none would ever be as special to her as her church family in Nelson.
As Doris matured as an adult, she would come to say that the best thing she ever did in life was having kids, any doubts or regrets being quickly replaced with joy.
Feeling drawn to be in service to others, over the years, Doris has spent time socializing with seniors in Nelson, volunteering her time at the Salvation Army and Share Nelson Thrift Store, at a drop-in and resource centre in Castlegar, and in recent years at the Kelowna Gospel Mission and at Metro. Metro was Doris’ final church home and also her favourite place to do service work for the city. Here in Kelowna is where she felt she left her mark, working with the impoverished and disenfranchised people of the city’s downtown. Doris loved her «street people.” They offered her something she believed she was lacking in relationships with many people. “They accept me unconditionally. Exactly for who I am. No Judgment.”
Doris was not an uncomplicated person and she lived each day facing her struggles and yet she was clearly able to be many things to many people. She was not meek nor undefined in her beliefs and stood her ground in life. She was always willing to talk with others even if sometimes she had a hard time listening and wasn’t afraid to give of herself what was necessary even if she went without for doing it.
Hopefully in death, Doris can find that which she found so elusive in life. Rest in Peace and walk with your creator – Mother, Daughter, Friend. You’re home now.
Service to be held Sunday May 29th 1:00PM at Metro Hub, 1265 Ellis St, Kelowna.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to Metro.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Doris Ann (Cardiff) Marquardt, please visit our floral store.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Doris Ann Cardiff Marquardt September 20 1955 May 15 2022 (age 66)..
Décès pour la Ville: Penticton, Province: Colombie britanique