Doris Marie Walker
Celebration of Life
Friday, October 16, 2026
1:00 PM
Canadian Memorial United Church
1825 West 16th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5W 2Z3
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The complete recording of the Celebration of Life service will also be available upon request after the service. Please send an email request if interested in viewing to lafondfamily@telus.net.
Obituary for Doris Marie Walker
July 20, 1933 – August 9, 2026
Doris, at age 93, passed away peacefully at New Vista Care Home, surrounded by her loving family. Doris was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.
Doris was predeceased by her beloved husband, Harvie Walker, and her son, David William Walker; her parents, William and Kathleen (Bedman) Reeder; her brothers, Herbert (Marion) Reeder and Mitch (Roxie) Reeder; and her sisters, Rose (Doug) Lemarchand and Marguerite (Len) Gault. She will be deeply missed by her loving daughter, Alison (David) Lafond; grandchildren, Emily (Nikolas) and Joshua (Sophie); nieces, nephews and longtime friends.
Doris was born in Birtle, Manitoba, on July 20, 1933, the youngest of five children. During the Great Depression, her family made the difficult decision to leave Manitoba in search of a better life and moved west to Penticton, arriving in 1935. With little money, the family initially lived with Doris’s maternal grandparents before establishing a home of their own. It was in Penticton that Doris grew up, attending both elementary and high school and developing a lifelong love for the Okanagan. She often spoke fondly of skating on Guernsey’s Pond, hiking up Munson Mountain, and the many happy memories of growing up in Penticton. Doris’s resilience was evident from an early age. At just nine years old, she survived a serious car accident that left her with a fractured skull and required her to spend seven weeks flat on her back in Penticton Hospital. Thankfully, she made a full recovery with no lifelong deficits. Despite this early challenge, Doris continued to thrive and went on to graduate from Penticton High School in 1951 with excellent marks and a scholarship.
As a young woman, Doris volunteered with the Presbyterian Church Boy Scouts and Cubs, where she met Harvie, affectionately known as “Mickey.” She was immediately drawn to his humour and playful nature. As graduation approached, Doris’s best friend, Betty Chapman, encouraged her to find the courage to ask Harvie to be her graduation date. Harvie was two years older, and in those days, it was uncommon for a woman to ask a man out. But Doris was determined. When she spotted Harvie on his lunch break from his job at Grant King’s Men’s Wear, she seized the opportunity, nearly running him over with her bicycle. She quickly asked, “Will you go to grad with me?” and then, almost as quickly, added, “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.” Harvie said yes, and the rest, as they say, is history.
From that moment on, Doris and Harvie were inseparable. They courted from 1951 until they happily married on June 4, 1955. Their adventurous spirit was evident from the very beginning. On their wedding night, they set off on their honeymoon in a borrowed car, heading to Idaho and Washington. Along the way, they swerved to avoid a rock and rolled down an embankment, landing upside down. Harvie managed to crawl out and climb back to the road to find help, while Doris was taken to hospital with a broken collarbone. Harvie spent his first night of marriage alone in a hotel. Once again, Doris’s resilience prevailed, and this was just the beginning of the many adventures and tribulations they would share throughout their loving life together. Doris’s love for Harvie never wavered. Even on the evening before she passed at New Vista Care Home, she was still talking about how much she loved Harvie and how lucky she was to call him her husband. Their love was truly everlasting.
In 1951, after high school, Doris began her working career in Penticton at the Bank of Nova Scotia, where she also continued to work after relocating to Vancouver to financially support Harvie while he attended UBC to study Education. She worked as a teller for the next 13 years. It was during this time that the infamous story of Doris having to carry a gun began. Wanting their tellers to be protected, the bank asked Doris to seek gun training from the RCMP. The officer refused to train Doris, telling her she was more likely to shoot herself in the foot than catch a bank robber—a story Doris never forgot and told often!
After taking time away from work to raise her daughter Alison, Doris returned to the workforce in 1979 and pursued a new career in healthcare. Doris’s mother, Kathleen was an RN, and Doris had always dreamed of becoming a nurse. At the age of 47, she was accepted to the UBC School of Nursing. Ultimately, after much deliberation, Doris made the difficult decision that she was too old to begin nursing school. Instead, she studied Medical Terminology and began working at St. Paul’s Hospital, first in the reception area of the Psychiatry Department and later in Admitting, including the Emergency Department. She retired from St. Paul’s in 1996, just as she welcomed her first grandchild, Emily. Three years later, her grandson Joshua arrived.
Being a grandmother was one of the greatest joys of Doris’s life. Her grandchildren affectionately called her “Ba,” a name that became synonymous with love, comfort, fun, and family. From the time Emily and Joshua were born, Doris was deeply involved in their lives, helping to care for them, spending countless hours with them, and becoming an important part of their everyday lives. When Harvie and Doris moved to New Westminster in 2003 and bought the house next door to their family, Doris took on an even greater role as a grandmother. Her days were filled with crafts, baking, snack time, school events, and attending the children’s many sports games. She was there for the everyday moments as well as the milestones, always interested in what they were doing and eager to be involved. Ba was a huge part of Emily and Joshua’s lives, and the time they shared with her is something they will cherish forever. The love, care, and memories she gave them will remain a treasured part of their lives forever.
Doris was the most selfless, devoted, warm, and loving mother and mother-in-law one could ask for. Alison Lynne Walker (Lafond) was born April 4, 1965, and David William Walker was born on December 21, 1973, and sadly passed away on January 27, 1974. Despite tragic and unthinkable circumstances, Doris and Harvie drew strength and healing from their faith, family, and friends. Where most might have completely crumbled, they chose strength, resilience, and support from one another. As their daughter, I am forever grateful that they found the power to heal and, in time, were able to be supportive and present for me during such a difficult and despairing period in their lives.
The memories I have with Mom are ones I will always cherish and look back on with gratitude. I especially enjoyed the times we spent simply “hanging out”—whether on family vacations, over lunches, at special celebrations, or sharing a glass of wine during “Happy Time.” There was always a great laugh, a story, or some good advice. I also knew that no matter what, Mom would always show up for me. Whether helping around the house, looking after the kids, pitching in at garage sales, or helping with my Christmas teas, Mom was there, dishtowel in hand, ready and happy to help. These are the everyday moments I will remember and appreciate most.
That same love and generosity extended to David, her son-in-law, whom Mom affectionately called “Sweet Dave.” She had a great love and admiration for him, and having Doris as a mother-in-law was truly like winning the lottery. Mom made it easy for both David and me to step into the role of caregivers with love and without hesitation. Caring for Mom’s physical and emotional needs over these last few years was challenging at times, but we would not have had it any other way. The precious time we spent visiting, caring for, laughing with, and simply being with Mom at New Vista Care Home will forever hold a special place in our hearts. Those final years gave us moments we will always treasure, and we feel incredibly grateful and blessed to have had that precious time with her.
Family and friends were at the very heart of Doris’s life. Her four siblings and their partners meant so much to her, and nothing made Doris happier than a family reunion or celebration at the house, where she could truly utilize her entertaining skills. Doris loved bringing people together, preparing a meal and making sure everyone felt welcome. Time spent with her nieces and nephews was especially important to Doris (aka Aunty Do Do), and she shared a particularly close bond with her niece Connie, who was lovingly by her side when she passed.
Doris was also a loyal and caring friend who took a genuine interest in the lives of others. She remembered the details, listened to your stories, and always wanted to know how you and your family were doing. People were naturally drawn to Doris and her warm, welcoming personality. Both Doris and Harvie were extremely generous, and you would rarely leave their home empty-handed. Whether gathered around the dinner table or surrounded by family and friends, this was where Doris was happiest. Those moments of laughter, conversation, good food, and togetherness were some of her greatest joys.
Doris was deeply devoted to her family, but she also believed strongly in giving back to her community. Canadian Memorial United Church was a very important part of her life and faith. She was active with the Maple Unit Ladies Group, church bazaars, fundraising, and the church library. She also volunteered at the Vancouver Planetarium and Museum. Doris had a particular soft spot for the underprivileged and was well known for carrying extra coins in her coat pocket, always prepared to give to those in need. Her faith, friendships, and commitment to helping others remained important throughout her life.
Doris was resilient, compassionate, and empathetic, with an infectious sense of humour. She had an impeccable sense of style and a love of fashion, carrying herself with both poise and grace. She was renowned for her wonderful cooking and baking. She had a deep love for her many cats over the years and always took great delight in teaching them tricks. Always thinking of others, she found ways to make those around her feel cared for. Above all, family, friends, and her fur babies were the most important part of her life.
Doris will be remembered for her strength and unwavering love for her family. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love, laughter, and memories that will remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire 5th Floor team at New Vista Care Home for their exceptionally kind, compassionate, and empathetic care of Doris. Their dedication, kindness, and support brought comfort to Doris and peace of mind to her family, and we will always be grateful. A special thank you also goes to Dr Lindsay McCaffrey for her kindness and unwavering support.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Doris’s memory to First United Church at 604-336-3047. A Joint Celebration of Life for both Harvie and Doris Walker will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Canadian Memorial United Church, 1825 West 16th Avenue, Vancouver, BC. Reception to follow.
A link to the recording of the Celebration of Life memorial tribute will be available here after the service on October 16, 2026.
The complete recording of the Celebration of Life service will also be available upon request after the service. Please send an email request if interested in viewing to lafondfamily@telus.net. Future family contact may be reached at lafondfamily@telus.net.
The Way We Were: The Life and Times of Doris and Harvie Walker
Please note the following link to access Harvie and Doris’s memoirs, written by Harvie Walker, titled “The Way We Were: The Life and Times of Doris and Harvie Walker.”
Musings of a Closet Poet: a Collection of Harvie Walker’s Poetry
These musings have been written over the past forty years. They represent some of the writer's thoughts and ideas - some optimistic, some anguished, and hopefully, some even inspired. May his words mean for you, whatever you wish. We hope you find some enjoyment, in what they say.
In Loving Memory
Condolence Messages
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