Doris Mary Parsons
June 11, 1937 – December 09, 2020
Our mom, Doris Mary Parsons, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2020 in her 83rd year at the Agnes Pratt Home in Mount Pearl with Jason by her side.
The youngest child of Margaret and John Myles, Doris was born on June 11, 1937 in Terrenceville, Newfoundland. Leaving school in sixth grade, mom helped her parents until she turned 16, after which she moved to Halifax in search of housekeeping work. She later met Gordon Parsons who she married in 1958. While in Halifax, mom and dad had three of us – Brian, Stephen and Jeanette. A traditional housekeeper, mom loved caring for her home and children and spending time with family and friends.
Missing her family and her beloved province, mom and dad moved with us back to Terrenceville in 1971. Mom cared for the family and helped her aging parents while dad fished the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, typically at home only 72 hours every 2 weeks. In 1980, mom and dad welcomed Jason to the family just 5 days after mom’s 42nd birthday. Less than 6 years later dad died at age 57, leaving mom to finish raising us on her own. This she did with great success and having done so was one of her greatest achievements in which she took considerable pride.
A long-time resident of Terrenceville, mom had a reputation both for giving folks a hard time and having a heart of gold. Hundreds of people sat at our kitchen table over the years to enjoy a cup of tea, a slice of pie and a good yarn. She gave liberally of her time to St. Joseph’s Church, helping with fundraising, washing pews and floors, and starching linens. In the late ’70s, she helped out a young couple by hosting their wedding in our small home. In the late 80’s, she beamed with pride as a bishop enjoyed Sunday dinner at our table. Known for her cooking and baking skills, mom made wedding cakes for free and churned out dozens of pies and cakes each year in time for Christmas. Many of these pastries were enjoyed by mummers who were gladly welcomed into our home. When they did arrive, it was not unusual for furniture to be shoved aside, making room for an instant kitchen party with mom’s favorite Newfoundland music playing on the stereo. Mom showed kindness in other ways when she comforted the sick and supported family members as loved ones passed on.
Mom is predeceased by our dad, her husband of 28 years, parents John and Margaret, brothers Alphonsus and John, and sisters Florence, Eileen and Rebecca.
We children, her greatest pride, will miss her greatly: Brian (Valerie), Stephen (Daphne), Jeanette (Bill) and Jason (Danah) as will her four grandchildren Samantha, Ethan, Janah and Amelia. She will also be sadly missed by nephew Michael (Irene), cousin Marie and her daughters, dear friend Lucy Hickey and many other members of the Terrenceville community.
A graveside service and celebration of life will be announced for a later date when travel is safe again. Donations kindly accepted in memory of Doris Parsons to the St. Joseph’s Church in Terrenceville. Please contact Glenda Rideout at rideout.g@hotmail.com for details.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Doris Mary Parsons 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Torbay, Province: T-N