Parcourez la nécrologie de Doreen June Stevenson nee Burdey June 4 1937 – December 26 2022 résidant dans la province Manitoba pour le détail des funérailles
Doreen June Stevenson (nee Burdey)
January 10, 2023
June 4, 1937 – December 26, 2022
Doreen (Dodi) June Burdey was born June 4, 1937 and grew up with her mother Olga (Ollie), in the busy, Ukrainian immigrant home of her grandparents Stephano and Xenia Bordej (Steven and Sadie Burdey) in the village of Brooklands (now part of Winnipeg). Doreen was surrounded by a host of Burdey aunts, uncles, and cousins but none more important than her favourite Uncle Nick, Uncle Wally, and “Auntie” Shirley. These humble and hardworking beginnings would shape her life thereafter.
At 15 years old, Doreen’s mother, Ollie, got Doreen her first and only job at the Continental Can packaging plant in Elmwood. Doreen worked alongside her mom for many years and retired after 50 years of service. She married John (Jake) Stevenson at a young age and her children, April and Darren soon followed. With Ollie in tow, they rented an apartment and then a rowhouse in Blake Gardens in Weston. Doreen would call Weston her home for the rest of her life and rarely ventured outside its borders. She shopped at Cantor’s Meats where Joe, Oscar, and Ed Cantor always made her feel welcome and supported. Doreen was a proud member of the Brooklands Weston Legion where she spent her time socializing, playing shuffleboard, and playing Bingo. If she wasn’t at “the Legion”, Doreen could be found “playing the horses” at Assiniboine Downs or grabbing a cup of coffee at Salisbury House. She seemed the happiest meeting her “Sals gang” for coffee to shoot the breeze and gossip.
Doreen’s home was always filled with a host of strays; both of the 2-legged and 4-legged variety. She could always spare a bed or a couch or a plate of food, even for months at a time. No matter where she lived, the home was always bustling. After a lifetime of renting, Doreen was proudest to eventually own her own home in Weston and thoroughly enjoyed strolling the sidewalks with her dog in tow. Soon the rest of the family followed suit, and, at one point, the whole family resided on the same street.
Doreen’s house would eventually become the foundation from which all family memories stemmed. Even though Darren (son), Diane (her favourite daughter-in-law), Morgan, and Brock (grandchildren) moved from Weston early on, it always felt like home to them. Morgan and Brock will always cherish the memories of playing on the old-wooden play structure, walking to McDonald’s, getting candy from the corner store, and jumping on Grandma’s waterbed. Holidays, birthdays, or Sunday dinners were spent crammed together in the “dining room” and later spent in the basement where a double bed somehow became a part of the seating arrangement. Christmas dinner was always turkey, gravy, Stove Top stuffing (which almost no one ever ate), meatballs and gravy and sweet and sour meatballs (always well done), cabbage rolls, homemade coleslaw, and the “Soggy Salad”. Afterward we’d share dainties, wondrous games of Rummoli (“Where are my pennies?”), Shirley Turnovers, and laughing until tears formed. Doreen’s two best friends, Violet and Eileen, whom she loved like sisters, were constants at many of these wonderful dinners. Over the years, countless conversations, laughs, and tears would be shared over a hot cup of tea.
In her later years, Doreen thrived in her little routines. She would spend most of her time venturing to the Brooklands and Canadiana to “hit the machines”, getting her hair done, bowling at Billy Mosienko Lanes, visiting with family, friends, and neighbours, checking in on April (daughter) and Johnny Slusarenko (her favourite son-in-law) and their dog, driving to pay bills or get groceries, going to McDonald’s for coffee and fries, and, of course, countless hours spent at Sals and the Legion. Everywhere she went, she would find a way to make a friend and lived for the innocent chatter between strangers.
When the pandemic hit, Doreen’s activities became limited to visiting with April and Johnny and walking around the neighbourhood. In the winter of 2021, on her way home from the local grocery store, Doreen was struck by a truck which resulted in life-changing injuries. The resulting trauma plunged her into the throes of dementia. Even though she was removed from any concept of time, devoid of any new memories and rapidly fading old ones, she was very happy when she transitioned to Holy Family Home. Her face lit up anytime someone came to visit her, and time would be spent telling the same stories over and over again. For us, it might have left like Ground Hog Day but for Doreen, every story was met with surprise and genuine happiness. The familiar sounds of Ukrainian accents from other residents and the smell of traditional Ukrainian food must’ve harkened her back to her days in Brooklands and never once felt like she was anywhere else but home.
In the weeks leading up to her passing, we all visited her on numerous occasions to say good-bye but seemingly to no avail. In typical fashion, she was determined to do things on her own terms and not listen to anyone else. With her favourite time of year approaching, she spent her last remaining days listening to Christmas carols and the words of love from her family. And, in the early hours of December 26th, a woman who worked fifty years in a box factory willed herself fittingly to peacefully pass on Boxing Day. Now those Eaton, SAANS, and Sears boxes we open on Christmas Day and box up on Boxing Day, will be fondly remembered forever as her everlasting Christmas gift to all of us.
A special thank you and God Bless to the medical and healthcare professionals, social workers, Sisters, administration, and support staff at Holy Family Home. Their tireless work, care, and compassion was always on display. The smiles behind the masks offered during these challenging times will never be forgotten. Doreen was truly happy and was treated with the utmost respect, care, and dignity.
A private family gathering will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make a charitable donation to your local animal shelter or an organization that aids in the fight against breast cancer, dementia, or endometriosis. The family thanks you all for your well wishes, expressions of condolences, and shared happy memories.

June 4 1937 – December 26 2022

Voyage Funeral Homes & Crematorium

Décès pour la Ville:Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba

avis deces Doreen June Stevenson nee Burdey June 4 1937 – December 26 2022

avis mortuaire Doreen June Stevenson nee Burdey June 4 1937 – December 26 2022

Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Doreen June Stevenson nee Burdey June 4 1937 – December 26 2022 et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.