Born July 13th, 1924 in “Cabbagetown-Riverdale”, the second daughter of Peter & Dorothy Quigley whose Irish-Catholic families first came to Toronto in the early 1800’s.
Together with her older sister Joan (Lobley), they attended St. Joseph’s Convent School on Wellesley St. (at Queen’s Park) throughout Grade School & High School.
Coming from her mother’s family of singers, Doris was a Trained Opera Singer in her teenage years. Graduating from High School in 1942, she was invited to continue her Opera Studies as a Mezzo-Soprano at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
However, because the mid-1940’s was in the midst of the Second World War, Doris chose to become a Registered Nurse as “the World then, needed more Nurses than Opera Singers” .
She entered Nursing Training at St. Joseph’s Hospital across from “Sunnyside” (now St. Joseph’s Health Centre). Being a Student Nurse during War Time, she and her fellow Student Nurses “did most of the Work, for no Pay and little Food” .
Due to War Time Food Rationing, the Doctors’ Food at the hospital was kept in a locked refrigerator.
However, always being innovative and resourceful, Doris devised a means by which she and other Student Nurses could “liberate” food (especially bacon) from the Doctors’ refrigerator.
In 1948, she married Canadian Army Captain R.C. (Roly) Kahnert after he returned from serving in North Africa, Italy and Holland during World War II. They went on to have five children, one niece, several nephews and subsequent grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Over the years, “Doris and Roly” (as they were known) were active Volunteers in many Charitable and Community Organizations. After Roly’s death in February 2000, Doris continued her Volunteer work.
In October 2016, Doris became a great-grandmother and, at age 92, she was asked to voice a Radio Commercial produced by Zoomer Radio AM740 for The Alzheimer Society of Ontario.
This commercial - simply entitled “Doris” - received the 2016 Crystals Award for “Gold Single Station Promo” and names Doris Kahnert among the Award Winners.
In March 2017, she moved into her “new home” at “Thompson House – Better Living Services” … where she spent her happy and final years and always singing.
She now continues to sing … but this time, in a “Heavenly Choir”.
A Visitation for Doris will take place at Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home (Thornhill) on Thursday October 5, 2023 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm.
A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Luke's Catholic Church (39 Green Ln, Thornhill) on Friday, October 6, 2023 at 11:00am. A Reception will follow in the church hall.
A private burial will take place following the reception.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked for to please make a donation to "Thompson House - Better Living Services" (mybetterliving.ca)
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kanejerrett-thornhill.ca for the Kahnert family.
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