Doreen Anne Fitzpatrick

She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert George (Bob) and survived by her loving family, daughter Kathleen Anne, and son Michael Stephen, grandchildren Trista Thomson, Kara Dunbar (Thomson), Chris Devine, Sean Fitzpatrick and Shelby Hodge (Fitzpatrick). Also survived by great grandchildren, Carter, Logan, Carson, Brynne, Bennet, Scarlett, Remington, and London, as well as nephews and nieces in Ontario, Alberta and New York State.

Born in 1932 in Hamilton, Ontario, she was the the youngest of four children born to Annie Jane Hemming (nee Frost) and Harry Hemming. She worked hard to become a nurse, a lifelong goal, and qualified in 1954, at St Joseph’s Hospital. In September 1956, she and Bob Fitzpatrick were married, and they were practically inseparable for 67 years. In 1970, they moved the family to British Columbia to protect his health in the arid climate. She worked at Kelowna General Hospital, in the neonatal nursery and loved helping the new mothers learn to care for their babies. In her last few years as a nurse, she worked at Cottonwoods, in the ward for brain damaged and dementia patients. It was difficult work but she found it rewarding.

After retirement they enjoyed traveling, with special trips every few years and she enjoyed handwork; crocheting, knitting, sewing, and embroidery. They were both active members of the Westbank Seniors group and both enjoyed helping people and while they were able, she and Bob helped seniors attend church and Bingo and the seniors’ lunches. In true Christian fashion, she invited homeless people to join in at the lunches. Since losing her vision about 12 years ago, her life became smaller but she and Bob were still inseparable and did what they could. Since October 6, 2023, she resided at the Heritage Retirement home, where she was supported and cared for during Bob’s illness and death in January 2024. She did not want to go on without him but tried to be strong. Despite several falls, she battled back and kept doing her best, including after the most recent fall in early January. But she contracted a respiratory virus and passed peacefully on Mar 16 a little before noon.

The family would like to thank the Interior Health home care workers who helped her stay independent as long as possible, and the staff at the Heritage Retirement facility for all their kind help through the last year and a half. Special thanks to their wonderful friends at the Shopper’s Drug Mart, in Westbank, who were so extremely kind and helpful, especially Tina and Paula, though we know many of the employees there also helped Doreen and Bob complete their weekly shopping on Seniors Day and helped them with cabs and sometimes deliveries too. Thanks to Paolo at the Medicine Shoppe as well for help, advice, and the many deliveries of needed items. The Staff at Cottonwoods Short Stay were extremely kind and caring as were the staff at IHCS in Kelowna General Hospital. We are extremely grateful for their help. Special thanks to dear friends Diana and Bev who helped in many ways but especially in making the final hospital stay more bearable.

A Funeral Service will be held at Saint George’s Anglican Church, 3690 Brown Road, Westbank on Friday April 25, 2025 at 1 p.m. If people choose, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any charity they wish. Some favourites of Bob and Doreen are the CNIB, BC Cancer Agency, the Heart and Stroke foundation and St. George‘s Anglican Church. Mom especially supported the BC SPCA; she loved animals.