Doreen Edna Allen (Knecht)

Doreen was born and raised in Aneroid, SK, leaving home at age 18 to attend business college in Winnipeg, MB. Following short-term work in Winnipeg, she accepted a clerical job at the hospital in Norway House, MB, where she met her husband-to-be, Brian, an employee of the Hudson’s Bay Company. They married at Winnipeg in 1953. After short stints at Lac Du Bonnet, MB, Calgary and Edmonton, the young couple settled in Calgary, raising two sons. The family lived in Lethbridge from 1964 to 1971, but returned to Calgary, where Doreen has lived ever since.

Though she took occasional clerical jobs through her married years, Doreen’s main occupation was as a loving mother and homemaker, at both of which she excelled. A private person, her social activities were not extensive; she took up golf briefly and attended Northmount Baptist Church for a number of years, until dementia began to limit her activities. Though not an ardent traveler, she enjoyed trips with the family and later with Brian to the Maritimes, the West Coast, and the United Kingdom. She loved Chinese food and get-togethers with her many family and friends, at which a giggle-fest inevitably erupted among the “Knecht Girls” and the rest of the “Aneroid Crowd.” She busied herself in her home and garden and was constantly amused with the antics of the local jackrabbits, collectively known by the name “Brer.”

Doreen is survived by her sons, Howard and Greg (Karen); her sister Hilda Morgan, grandchildren Daniel, Andrew and Emma Allen, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Brian Anthony Arthur (Tony) Allen, her parents, Joseph and Freda Knecht, her brother Wilfred and her sisters Elsie and Alma.

Doreen’s family thanks the many health care professionals at Peter Lougheed Centre, especially to nurse “AJ” who called in the nick of time, and Dr. Christopher Hardy for his care over the years. Thanks also to the many Bayshore homecare workers who cared for her with kindness over the past several years, especially Leslie, Dali, Carol, Evelyn, Mulu, Sandra and Akberet.

Cremation will be followed by a private family gathering at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to be made to the Alzheimer Society of Calgary, www.alzheimercalgary.ca, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.