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Doris Diane Jackson (Nee: MacFarlane)
20 July 1941 – 17 February 2025
Celebrating and honouring the joy, light and grace of our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, coworker, local volunteer and neighbour to name a few roles that she fulfilled …
Although we are truly saddened by the recent passing of our mother, we look to the gifts and blessings that she brought into our lives. She was always a force of positivity and looked on the bright side of life. She was encouraging and saw the best in everyone. Even in the depths of dementia, she was able to look to the future, make others smile, and deliver wisecracking one liners that had us laughing until our ribs hurt.
Mom was predeceased by her twin daughters, Mary and Ann, who died shortly after childbirth (1967), her parents Grant and Caroline MacFarlane, and her siblings Ron, Vicky, and Bob.
Left behind to speak her name and to share stories of her formidable love of life and of giving everything of herself in all that she did are: her husband of 63 years James Jackson, her daughters Tena (John), Cindy (Gary) and Kelly (Rick); her grandchildren Reilly-James (Stephanie), Gareth, Christopher, Quinlan (Jenn), Hailey (Nathan), Coleton, Owen and Garin; her great-grandchildren Olivia, Carter-James and Penelope; her brothers Doug (Darlene) and Tom (Shiela); her sister-in-law Lynn Jackson (late Garfield); her Thomson cousins, Heather and Bev, who she loved like sisters, and their brothers Fred and Clinton, her cousin Donny MacFarlane, as well as many nieces and nephews who loved and adored their crazy fun-loving Aunt Doris.
There are simply not enough words to describe our mother. She was truly the center of our universe; the glue that held our family together. Our childhood was rich in experiences and in everyday activities as she made everything fun… games on rainy days, midnight swims at Gillies beach, hikes and picnics to Scout Rock; rainy day strolls to the Pine Dairy Bar for ice cream or french fries in our raincoats and rubber boots, and rolling down hills into a pile of raked leaves… to name a few.
She was also super Nanny to all of her grandchildren. Alberta and southern Ontario were never too far to travel for sporting events, music concerts, school plays, or to simply visit and to reconnect. She would proudly say that she helped every grandson with their paper route as it gave her time to walk and chat. We have all enjoyed hundreds (or thousands) of walks around the lake with Mom, feeding the ducks and sharing laughs from the day’s events.
Although born and raised in Timmins, Mom was able to see the world with Dad through his work; spending several years in Australia and Fiji. Despite the distance, Mom frequently returned to Canada to remain a constant in the lives of her loved ones.
Mom was a passionate gardener and founding member of her neighbourhood gardening club (Ahem… wine club… Haha!); and with the lake as her backyard, her garden became the canvas on which she would paint. She loved her corner of the universe on Howard Avenue by Gillies Lake. Many walkers and passersby stopped to admire her floral tapestry… for which our father would often take credit (Lol).
She was a wonderful community volunteer. Throughout the years, she dedicated her time to fundraising for causes that were close to her heart. These included but weren’t limited to; door to door collection for the Heart & Stroke Foundation, participated in the Crohn’s and Colitis gutsy walk, and the annual team walk/run for cancer, to name a few. She could also be found serving hot chocolate at the original skating oval, volunteering her time to beautify her beloved lake and its many garden beds, and she was instrumental in advocating for the completion of the walking path around the lake.
Connecting with others was her superpower. This is probably why she worked in front facing jobs at Henry’s Pharmacy, Shoppers Drug Mart and Tim Horton’s. If you met her, you would never forget her. She was beautiful in and out and made everyone she met feel special.
The family would like to thank Doug and Tom MacFarlane for their ongoing and enduring love and caring support of their sister; the Howard Ave and Toke Street neighbours who helped our parents when needed as they aged; Johnny Cecchini who was a beacon of kindness for our parents through Covid and was a consistent visitor at the Golden Manor; Dr. Julie Auger, Julie Siem and Lisa Fragassi, Dr. Cohen, Alzheimer Society of Timmins, Tenille Sweet and her Home Care Team, the Community Paramedicine Program Team, the Golden Manor, including past and present staff in East 2, East 3 and West 2, the Hospice Team, the Physiotherapy Team and the Administrative staff; the Timmins and District Hospital nursing staff, Laura and Kelsey of Home and Community Support Services, and our sisters in care Chantal and Paulette.
We acknowledge that we have most likely missed some individuals or organizations who have played a role in supporting Mom over the years. We thank all who have shown kindness and support.
At our mother’s request, we will be honouring her through a celebration of life focused on a community of loved ones, happy memories, storytelling, and plenty of laughter. Please join us if you are able on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at the Golden Manor Auditorium for a luncheon and the sharing of stories from 1pm to 2:30pm, and the viewing of home movies from 2:30pm to 4pm. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to LESSARD Funeral and Cremation Centre.
In lieu of flowers, remembrance donations to Alzheimer Society-Timmins, Covenant United Church, or the Golden Manor for the courtyard garden would be greatly appreciated.
Monday February 17th 2025
Death notice for the town of: TIMMINS, Province: Ontario
death notice Doris Jackson MacFarlane Monday February 17th 2025
obituaries notice Doris Jackson MacFarlane Monday February 17th 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Doris Jackson MacFarlane Monday February 17th 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
