Doris Lee Walker

Doris Lee Walker (Smith) passed away peacefully at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on the morning of April 22, 2017 at the age of 93. Mom was born in Willowdale, Ontario to Leslie and Christina Smith and attended Business College following high school. She worked in various businesses downtown Toronto and often spoke of taking the street car down Yonge with her lifelong friend Josephine and Lorraine (who later married Jim’s brother Tom). She always had stories of growing up in Toronto, staying at Center Island in the summer and riding her bike over to work downtown. 

Doris married (Walter) James Walker April 3, 1947 and the two made a journey north to start a new life together. She told us stories of getting stuck in a blizzard at the border in Grand Marie on her way to Fort William. 

Doris participated in the Women’s Group at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, raised her three children – Leslie, Susan and Jim introducing them to camping at Cedar Bay and downhill skiing at Mount McKay and Mount Norway. When she was 50 years old she bought a set of golf clubs for our dad and was a caddy for one game. Enough of that! She went out and got her own and proceeded to beat him at golf! She was a competitive golfer and still treasured her many trophies that were won at Fort William Golf and Country Club and around the area. She made many lifelong friends through the game of golf and was at her happiest when she was out swinging a club.

Mom and Dad spent many winters in Florida and our children have fond memories of visiting and making Lemonade from Granny’s Tree. Of course feeding Charlie, the local bird and checking out the beaches were also high points.

She recently mentioned her greatest accomplishment was in raising her children. She made sure that grandchildren were given a chance to golf at the Fort William Country Club. Friday mornings on the course with Greg and Alex and later Aaron were very important to her. Her best advice was “get out on the golf course and enjoy life”.

Doris was predeceased by her husband Walter James Walker, Daughter Leslie Walker and Brother Jim Smith. She is survived by daughter Susan (Bryan) Chomut; grandson Gregory (Meghan); granddaughter Kim (Mark); son Jim (Carol) Walker; grandson Alex (Brook) Walker; granddaughter Autumn (James) Harnel; grandson Aaron Walker and great grandchildren Wesley, Madelyn, Josephine, Simon, Rose and Lincoln.

Mom was the kindest, happiest person I know, determined in life, competitive in golf, and her goal was to live to 100. She enjoyed her last years at Chartwell Isabella and took part in all of the activities they offered. Thank you everyone at Chartwell and CCAC for being so supportive and helpful. A special thanks for the staff at TBRHSC and Drs. Noy, Cullinan and Z. Ahmed for exceptional care of mom.

Funeral Services for Doris Walker will be Saturday, April 29th at 10 a.m. at Jenkens Funeral Home with Archdeacon Deborah Kraft officiating. Visitation for family and friends will commence at 9:30. Internment at Mountain View Cemetery on Monday at 10 a.m. for family. 

Should friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations made to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre or the Canadian Diabetes Association would be appreciated.