Obituary of Doris May Purchase
In Memory of
DORIS MAY PURCHASE
(née DUNSTAN)
August 18, 1925 – March 11, 2022
Doris Purchase passed away peacefully at the Salvation Army Grace Health Care Centre, in her 97th year. Doris was hospitalized for a month with congestive heart failure. She was a strong lady who fought hard and always maintained a positive outlook, even as her health was declining. Doris was predeceased by her daughter, Valerie, and is survived; by her daughters, Wendy, Beverley (Fred); grandchildren, Ken, Kristopher (Laura), Tammy, Julian, Carady (Archie); great-grandchildren, James, Curtis, Matthew, Joshua, Caitlin: and great-great-grandchild, JJ.
Doris was born in Brandon, Manitoba, the ninth of fifteen children.
At 15 years of age, Doris moved to Toronto and gained employment at Simpson’s Knitting Mill with her sisters, Reta and Olive. At the age of 18, Doris began work at Crown Cork and Seal on an assembly line.
Upon arrival in Toronto, Doris began to attend the Danforth Salvation Army Corps. One New Year’s Eve Doris met Wilson Roderick Purchase. Doris and Wilson were married at East Toronto Critical on July 19, 1952. The marriage yielded three daughters, Valerie, Wendy and Beverley.
Doris organized and led a Sunday School program for children with special needs. She was an advocate for every child and ensured that the children in the program were happy, engaged and embodied a cohesive family community.
Doris had immensely creative abilities from knitting, to sewing, to needlepoint, to plastic canvas. Her hands were continually busy. She was always working on a project. Doris was so skilled that she could create any specialty project without having a pattern.
Doris’s strength enabled her to brave through many difficult years to support her children and maintain a stable living environment. Throughout the years, Doris acquired employment at Thorncliffe Bowling Alley, Salvation Army Training College, and Meighan Lodge. But Doris’ favourite place of employment was as part of the Humphrey Funeral Home family.
Doris was a faithful servant of the Lord. East Toronto Salvation Army has been Doris’ second home for many years. She always felt the warm embrace from every parishioner.
Doris had endless energy. She lived every day to the fullest. She was involved in organizing numerous events at her daughters’ schools as well as for her Sunday school children and their families. Later in life, Doris involved herself with physical and social activities such as Tai Chi, Over 60 Club and numerous travel adventures.
Doris’s family invite friends and family to a funeral service on Saturday,
In memory of Doris, donations may be made to the East Toronto Salvation Army, 107 Cedarvale Avenue, Toronto, M4C 4J9.
At the request of Doris’ family, proof of full vaccine is required and face masks are to worn.
A family interment will be held at a later date.
© 2021 Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel Limited. All Rights Reserved.
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