Doreen TROTTIER

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TROTTIER: Doreen Lois Trottier (nee Spearman), February 19, 1928-February 10, 2019.It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Doreen Lois Trottier. She is survived by her three daughters: Janice (Glen) Kyle, Dianna (Myles Krauchi) Trottier, and Julie Trottier; six grandchildren: Larissa (Neil) MacDonald, Brandi (David) Jackman, Willow Krauchi, Shaw Krauchi, Vanessa Krauchi, Christie Way (Jamey Matheson), Isabel Trottier-Phaneuf (Alenn Cruzat); and 13 great-grandchildren: Benson, Janessa, Elliot, Wesley, Collin, Robert, Anita and Timothy MacDonald, Jedidiah and Hannah Jackman, Nya Krauchi, Braden Krauchi, Liam Muys; her brother-in-law Freddie (Karen) Trottier and numerous nieces, nephews and their families. Doreen was predeceased by her husband Albert Trottier and her four siblings (Hazel Gardiner, Evelyn Robinson, Elwood Spearman and Harold Spearman) and brothers- and sisters-in-law. Doreen was born near Crystal City, MB on the farm, the youngest of five children. Their family loved music and spent many hours after supper playing and singing together. Doreen’s mother had TB during her teen years and she boarded with friends and relatives while going to school. Her first job was at the Winnipeg Tribune in 1945. Doreen met Albert Trottier at a dance in Pilot Mound at the age of 18 and they married December 7, 1946. She was 19 and he was 26. Dancing was a 60-year love for both of them and they danced beautifully together. They moved to the Trottier farm where their first home was a 20x22 foot building they renovated and called “The Shack”. In 1948 they bought the Trottier home farm. Doreen milked 20 cows, looked after the pigs and chickens, did canning, baked pies and made full meals for the farm hands. Janice was born in September 1952 and Dianna in September 1954, and in October Doreen and Albert moved to Boissevain to take ownership of the Macleods Store where Doreen worked full time as co-owner in the store. In 1960 they built the new house on Mill Road and in November 1961 Julie was born. In 1962 they built the new store. Doreen enjoyed these busy years. She was also active in Lionelles, IODE, and the Ladies ACT. In 1971 they moved to Brandon and built a new house on Hemlock Crescent where they lived until 1997. They also had 11 rental properties in Brandon. Doreen and Albert wintered in Phoenix, AZ after they “retired” and they eventually moved to a condo in Winnipeg in 1997. Albert died November 30, 1997. Doreen loved visiting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren…they were very special to her and she asked about them in every phone call. Doreen spent her last months at Bethania Personal Care Home. Our thanks go out to all the staff who gave her such excellent care and love, with special thanks to Charis and Victor. Doreen died as she had lived, with courage and strength, maintaining her sense of humour, dignity and grace to the end. She left us with an incredible legacy that will live on in our hearts. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Doreen’s Life will take place on Thursday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m. at E.J. Coutu Funeral Home, 680 Archibald St., in Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Doreen’s memory to the CNIB, P.O. Box 8000 STN Main, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 9Z9, online at www.cnib.ca or to a charity of choice. E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS204-253-5086ejcoutu.ca

As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 16, 2019