Obituary of DORIS MARY DUCE

DUCE, Doris Mary (nee Butts) left this world peacefully on May 18, 2021. She was diagnosed with cancer in January of this year and declined treatment that would have offered her a little more time at the expense of quality. She was born on February 26, 1941, the only child of Fred and Mabel Butts (nee Richardson) and is survived by her loving children Deb, Dan (Kim), and Bill (Nancy). Doris was creative, supportive and curious while at the same time being somewhat rebellious, independent and a little contrarian. She enjoyed the simple things in life like gardening, a good meal with a beverage or two and taking long drives that celebrated the journey rather than the destination. Of course her most successful project was her children, whom she adored. While perhaps a little unconventional with her methodology at times, there was nothing she wouldn’t do for them. Her children are thankful for the strong bond she fostered between them and which remains to this day. Mom could be very social but she was just as inclined to keep to a small circle of true friends, and had little patience for pretence or pretenders. She could be a hard worker though she never really enjoyed working hard, and she made friends wherever she went. Some of our fondest memories of Mom are those of her surrounded by yarn and crochet hooks that created nativity scenes, flowers and tablecloths. She also loved gardening and watching the birds at her feeder each day. Mom spent most her life in Waterford and Simcoe surrounded by family (Richardson’s, Harwood’s, Gulewitsch’s) and she loved exploring Norfolk and Haldimand counties. Later in life her best afternoons included hopping in the car and discovering places she’d never been before. Garden centres, the Port Dover Mill Store and the Erie Beach Hotel for perch dinners were some of her favourite destinations. The family would like to thank all of the staff at the Norfolk General Hospital, the CCAC palliative care team and all of the staff at Rosewood Senior Living for the incredible support and care they provided. For most of her life she never felt old and certainly never acted her age. Doris spent the past 80 years in celebration of her life, and we hope you had the opportunity to join her. Due to Covid restrictions, there will be no formal service which is just as well as she never liked them and would likely have found an excuse to not attend. Rather than sending an arrangement she would have asked that you get outside and plant a flower, go for a long drive without a map, or make something with your hands. In lieu of that she would have welcomed donations to the Waterford District Community Foundation which supports Waterford community groups and the Norfolk General Hospital. Online condolences may be made at the Thompson Mott Funeral Home, Waterford, 519-443-5332.