Doris Vardy
August 15, 1935 – November 5, 2022
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Passed peacefully away at the Dr. G.B. Cross on Saturday, November 5th, our mom, Doris Vardy (Penney), age 87 from Hickman’s Hr., Random Island. Predeceased by husband Arthur, son Tex Sherwood, daughter-in-law Donna, parents Alfred and Winnifred Penney, brothers Lawrence (Hazel), Donald (Dorothy) and Eva (Hughie); brothers-in-law Austin (Clair), Edwin (Minnie), Ralph (Marjorie), sisters-in-law Phyllis Badcock (Arch) and Margaret Butler (Fred).
Leaving to mourn with loving memories are her children Maxine Simmons, Bernice, Wade (Debbie), Dennis (Amy), Kim Hansford (Chris), David, Dianne Duffett (Wayne), Rodney (Mary) and Sherry Alexander, 20 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, devoted sister Ena Marsh, brother-in-law Oliver Vardy (Barbara), step brother-in-law Howard Vardy (Sylvia), sister-in-law Lily, step sisters-in-law Dawn Turley (Rick) and Winnie Vardy and many other relatives and friends.
Condolences only please.
At Mom’s request there will not be a funeral service, however, the family has decided to host a « Gospel Music and Friends Event » in her honour. Details to follow.
Mom was born and raised in Deer Harbour and married dad, from Hickman’s Harbour, in 1952 and that is where they resided initially. Shortly after reaching the age of 17, mom delivered her first child and for nearly every second year after that she delivered another child until she had 10 (5 girls and 5 boys). In those days, large families were quite common, and times were tough. Diapers were washed usually by hand or the old wringer washer, milk bottles sterilized, often water had to be brought in buckets. The list of hardships was endless as was for most all families at the time.
In the early days of their marriage, they moved around as dad was a minister in Bonne Bay, Herring Neck etc. Dad might have been the minister, but mom was very active in the church and preached often to a full congregation. After leaving the ministry, they settled in Hickman’s Hr. again. As if raising a big family wasn’t enough, they decided to start some family businesses and over time their listing became:
Arthur and Doris Vardy
Gas Station/Garage, General Store,
School Bus and Taxi service,
Ambulance and Funeral Home
Mom and dad enjoyed serving people and the funeral home was probably one of their greatest callings because they were helping people who were experiencing some of their lowest and darkest times in life.
Aside from the businesses and work from raising a big family, the church was always a big part of our household (whether us kids wanted it or not) and living alongside the church brought us a few more things to do. Mom and dad, for many years, were the primary caretakers of the United Church. Mom took great pride in making sure the church was kept clean and the chimes were on for the regular services- that meant us kids lending a hand from time to time, or many times. (That darn red carpet showed up every peck and cleaning the seats was an endless chore). Mom was junior choir director also for many years, a role she thoroughly enjoyed, and the Christmas program was always a highlight. Gospel music was the norm at our home, especially on Sunday mornings. It was a given that Children’s Prayers had to be said at nighttime and grace had to be said before meals (if mom or dad were around).
As you can imagine, when you have many mouths to feed and clothes to buy, hard work is required. This trait was instilled in all of us through the example they led. The boys mainly helped at the gas station and garage while the girls were cooking, cleaning, working at the store, washing vehicles or whatever. Always work to be done. Just endless chores but it didn’t hurt any of us.
While we had a crowd of our own, Mom always found food to feed another person. Quite often Sunday dinner was delivered to so and so who was alone or not feeling well and many groceries went out through the shop door to those who had no money to pay at the time.
We are grateful to mom for her wisdom, her moral values, her strength, her faith and her endurance. Mom loved her Lord and during her time of illness in the hospital, she repeated over and over that she was ready to go home to be with Jesus. She talked about how good it was going to be and what a glorious time she was going to have. While it is hard to let her go from this earth, it lessens the burden knowing she was anxious to be reunited with dad and to rejoice with her Saviour.
Proverbs 31 verse 10: Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies &
St. Matthew 25 verse 23: His lord said unto him, Well done good and faithful servant.
Mom was a virtuous woman.
Well done Mom, good and faithful servant!
August 15 1935 November 5 2022
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Doris Vardy August 15 1935 November 5 2022..
Décès pour la Ville: Random Island, Province: T-N