Doreen Iris (Groombridge) MacLean

Doreen, affectionately known as “Tassie”, passed away peacefully at sunrise, Tuesday, August 7th, with her loving daughter and best girlfriend Alma by her side, due to complications arising from an Aortic Aneurysm. Mom was born to Stanley and Doris Groombridge in Pontypridd, Rhonda Valley of Glamorgan, Wales, UK.

After she and her family had endured the War and the changes that life brought their way, her Mom and Dad decided to start over for the sake of their children. At the age of 18, just 3 months into studying to become a nurse in London, Mom and her family sailed by boat to move to the Lakehead to begin anew as Canadian Citizens. Which Mom was extremely proud to be. Very shortly after arriving, as well as working beside her Father in his garage in Westfort (Mom had a knack for anything mechanical), Mom began working at Can Car/Bombardier in the offices as a secretary. Here she met and fell in love with her loving husband, Colin MacLean, married 65 years last March. As it was in the time, once Mom and Dad were married, Mom had to quit her job at Can Car. From that point on, Mom and Dad began the adventure of raising five children together.

Mom was to say the least an extremely talented and most caring woman in every respect. As well as her children and husband, Mom through the years did an exemplary and unselfish job of caring for any that came into our lives. A hardworking woman, never with complaint. Mom was a talented seamstress, home improvement decorator and guru with a gift for any artistic endeavour around the house and a great bowler in her time. Most importantly to her, Mom knew how to read one’s fortune with cards. A gift passed to her by her Grandmother. She was the best personal spiritual guide to all that she loved. Mom right to the end in her own way, had a special connection with anyone who met her and those that had previously passed. They gave her the strength she needed to endure her exit from this life. Especially, her loving son Cameron and sister Bonita.

Mom was a beautiful woman and took great pride in always looking her best everyday. Even the morning of her hospitalization, when she was up to visit Dad, she looked amazing and healthy. Mom was and always will be, like the Doctor’s who were caring for her learned to understand over her last 11 days, a spectacular human being. With the understanding of the human condition unlike any other.

Doreen will be lovingly missed every second of every day by her husband Colin, daughter Alma (Bruce) Watts, her son Jim (who adored her) and wife Nancy, son Murray and daughter Leeta and Granddaughters Cara and Erika and Great Grandson Colin Jr. As well as many nieces and nephews in Canada, the U.S. and England.

Doreen was predeceased by her son Cameron, her Mom and Dad, sister Bonita Pugh, brothers Roddy and Gordon Groombridge and many of our other relatives.

As per Mom’s wishes there will be no service, with a private family interment at a later date. In lieu of flowers, friends or family who desire may make donations to “The Casey House” in Toronto, ON, in memory of her loving son Cameron Stanley MacLean. Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpler Times Cremation Centre, 332 North May Street, Thunder Bay.

Mom is at peace now, a peace which to say the least is well deserved.

We will love you forever and always Mom, to infinity and beyond and are not saying goodbye, but we will be seeing you.

“Love ya, Love ya, Love ya”
“Good, good, good”
“Keep the light shining”