Doris Baziuk

We are grateful for the exceptional life of Doris Baziuk who passed away peacefully at home on December 25th, 2020 at the age of 99.

Doris is survived by her daughter Sylvia Ann Benser (Steve), Fargo North Dakota, and sons Maurice William Baziuk and Bruce Brian Baziuk (Rhonda) along with several grandchildren and great grandchildren throughout Canada and the USA. Doris leaves behind three brothers and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband William “Bill” Baziuk who passed away in 1993.

Doris was born September 18, 1921 in Prelate (Septre) Saskatchewan. As the oldest of 9 children, Doris left the family farm at age of 16 (with $50 dollars in her pocket) to pursue an education in nursing at McKellar General Hospital. In 1944 she met the love of her life, Bill Baziuk, and changed her career path to focus on her family.

Doris spent her early years managing the family business books and contributing to the progressive development of their railroad construction companies along with expanding family interests in land development throughout Canada and the USA.

Doris was a member of the Eastern Star (executive and past president). The family extends their sincerest appreciation to the members of the Masonic Lodge and Shriners who continued, throughout the years, to keep Doris involved in many activities including the annual Christmas Women’s dinner which she fondly enjoyed.

Doris was also active in many charitable organizations and volunteered her time endlessly to the proud community of Thunder Bay she called home including being a great friend and supporter of Lakehead University donating generously through endowments since the early 1980's and building an Engineering Science Laboratory named after her husband, Bill Baziuk.

In the later years, Doris continued to stay active delivering newspapers for the Chronicle Journal and was known to have side job dropping off her famous raspberries to neighbourhood friends along the way (and plucking a few flowers to expand her garden). Doris strongly believed that exercise and education were the key to a healthy existence. At the age of 93, Doris decided it was time to finally retire from her paper route and move in with her son and daughter-in-law.

Doris loved to travel the world and cherished her winter vacations in Florida with her family. Her travels continued right until October 2020 when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Doris was a very devoted mother and grandmother. Her words of encouragement, wisdom and sometimes comfort kept the family in line. She taught her children the school of "hard knocks" and gave us something to pass down to our children.

To all who knew Doris, she was a very determined, compassionate person who loved unconditionally, putting the needs of her family and friends before her own.

Brian and Rhonda extend a very special thank you to the nursing team from the Local Health Integration Network (Aparna, Trina and Georgette) and all the staff from ParaMed for their exceptional support during Doris’ end of life care.

Reflections from Doris (2000)

When I try to visualize what life must have been like for our forefathers I shudder; when I recall the hardships endured by my parents and the sacrifices they made for us, that we might have a better life, I feel very sad but also very grateful.

Many of us who have lived through the depression, the dust storms, and without the comfort and advantages which were not available during the first half of the century, as life conditions changed, it seemed that we evolved into a time of future shock.

In spite of the pettiness where it exists today, on the positive side, we are most fortunate to be living at a time wherein the quality of life is steadily improving.
But for various reasons, at this point-in-time, many of us are in limbo, are experiencing traumas of one sort or another.

I pray the next chapter will alleviate many of the burdens we are now enduring, and I do thank God for the blessings he has bestowed upon us as we blindly traverse our destinies from day to day.

The day Doris was diagnosed with cancer she stated to the young doctor “we can’t live forever, it’s time for me to leave this universe and be replaced by the young”.

We are truly blessed for the inspiration Doris gave throughout her life’s journey and the sacrifices she made for us to have a better life. A woman of principle and a rock for those she loved.

Heaven will never be the same with its newest addition. Shake it up Doris!

In lieu of flowers, if you so wish, donations may be made in Doris’ memory to Lakehead University donate.lakeheadu.ca or by calling 807-343-8010 Ext. 8194 or by mail to 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1 c/o External Relations.