DORIS BERTHA BROWN

Doris Bertha Brown (nee Grouette), who was born Aug. 23, 1939 in La Broquerie, Man., passed away suddenly on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012 in Atikokan, Ont.
She was predeceased by her parents, Marie Elizabeth Marguerite and Joseph Eduardo Grouette; her brother, Edwared Grouette; and brother-in-law, Ray Veran.
Doris is survived by her husband of 54 years, Dennis Brown of Atikokan, Ont. and three sons, Douglas (Joanne) of Fort Frances, Ont., grandson, Dustin, of Thunder Bay, Ont., and granddaughter, Emily Jo, of Fort Frances, Ont., Darren of Vancouver, B.C. and granddaughter, Ava, of Fort Frances, Ont., and David (Julia), granddaughters, Madison and Emma, and grandson, Blake, of Richmond, Va.
Also surviving are her sisters, Betty MacTavish of Fort Frances, Ont., Leona Morrish of Cranbrook, B.C., Beatrice Friend of International Falls, Mn., and Angela (Duane) Morneau and Patsy (Doug) McEvoy of Winnipeg, Man.; brothers, Roger (Pam) Grouette and Leo (Karen) Grouette, all of Winnipeg, Man.; sisters-in-law, Bev Veran of Atikokan, Ont., Norma (Bill) of Fernie, B.C., Marlene (Wade) Nelson of Devlin, Ont., and Audrey (John) Lenart of Tumble Ridge, B.C.; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Doris was a person of substance, integrity, and enlightenment. She fought hard to ensure the world was a better place.
She served her community with distinction, starting as a hockey coach for her sons’ teams, and board member for the Kenora-Rainy River Legal Aid Society, Atikokan Crisis Centre, Atikokan Women’s Curling Club, Atikokan Horticultural Society, Little Falls Community Centre, Catholic Women’s League, Atikokan General Hospital, RMAC, Atikokan Sports Days, the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, Lakehead University off-campus representative, and others as time permitted.
She was proudly named Ontario Librarian of the Year in 1997.
She was beacon of hope for young people, particularly young women of Atikokan, mentoring, training, and inspiring many to be all they could be.
She will be sadly missed by family, friends, and the community she loved.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Atikokan.
Lunch and refreshments served afterwards in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations to the Atikokan Public Library, c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0, would be gratefully appreciated.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com