DOREEN MARILYN DEMAS

Condolences & Memories (11 entries)

• Thanks to retired Social Worker & fellow activist Roy Hanes, we are grateful that Ann Seymour, of the the Carleton University Disability Research Group, was able to interview Doreen, in March 2021, for the project "Activism in the Disability Rights Movement in Canada Between 1970 and 2020 ". You can hear her speak about her work here: https://ohdisabilityactivism.omeka.net/exhibits/show/test-exhibit/activists/doreen-demas. - Posted by: Dominique Marshall (Scholar) on: Oct 29, 2023

• I knew Doreen as a customer of mine at SDM. For the last few years before I left SDM in April 2022, I had many wonderful conversations with her over the phone. She trusted me, and I was happy to help in any way I could. My sincere condolences to the family. Alice - Posted by: Alice Smith (Past customer) on: Aug 20, 2023

• I became friends with Doreen in our BSW program, but had lost touch with her. I am very sad to hear this news. She was so intelligent, kind, fun and generous. She made a difference. My heart goes out to her family friends. My condolences. - Posted by: Sarah Lugtig Riezebos (Friend) on: Aug 17, 2023

• I knew Doreen a number of years ago and the quality that most impressed me about her was her ability to take stock of her circumstances and situation and pivot. She continuously recreated herself and her path in life using common sense and opportunities. Her commitment to advocating for indigenous people with disabilities was impressive and effective.i especially valued her love for her animal family members. My condolences to her family. - Posted by: Paula Keirstead (Past friend) on: Jul 14, 2023

• I knew Doreen a number of years ago and the quality that most impressed me about her was her ability to take stock of her circumstances and situation and pivot. She continuously recreated herself and her path in life using common sense and opportunities. Her commitment to advocating for indigenous people with disabilities was impressive and effective.i especially valued her love for her animal family members. My condolences to her family. - Posted by: Paula Keirstead (Past friend) on: Jul 14, 2023

• Doreen was a very, very dear friend of mine while I lived in Winnipeg- we were roommates for a time, until my messiness got to be an issue, (ahem). I have many memories of my friendship with Doreen, camping in the rain at the WPG Folk Fest, singing “Black Velvet” together -she had a beautiful singing voice! And laughing together, I remember her laugh. I so admired Doreen, not least of which her ability to conceptualize & articulate issues with such composure & clarity particularly with politicians was and will always be inspiring to me. She also helped me begin to understand on a personal level the impact of residential school at Branford and how devastated she was that it took her away from her family and her culture for so long. I lost touch after leaving Winnipeg- and deeply regret that. Doreen has left a long and extensive legacy with so many - to Doreen’s family, my deepest condolences, you have much to be proud of in Doreen. I missed my chance to tell Doreen how much her friendship meant to me all those years ago, how much I learned from her & how deeply she influenced me as a person. - Posted by: Catherine McGowan (Dear friend, ) on: Jul 12, 2023

• My sincere condolences go to family, friends, and pets of Doreen. I was so lucky to be around as a young teenager when Doreen was working with my Mom, Muriel McLeod. While only a little older than I was, Doreen was much wiser, and far more mature! Certainly not all of her life was easy but she focused on the positive and made her life and others' better. She was an unpretentious role model for me in her acceptance of those things beyond her control and in her fervour for making the most of every opportunity that came her way (or that she arranged to come her way!) Many times Doreen effectively straightened up my thinking in direct yet non-judgemental ways. It seemed to me that a very capable "old soul" guided Doreen. The words in her obituary represent so well the Doreen that I knew: "... a persevering, steadfast, fierce advocate for Indigenous peoples, particularly persons with disabilities. A brilliant thinker, a kind and compassionate friend, with a great sense of humour and a stubborn streak, her contributions to humanity are too great to put into words." A person couldn't know Doreen without being changed by her positive influence. I have been blessed for 50 years with the improvements her example encouraged in me; perhaps in some very small way the best parts of me may be the least of Doreen's innumerable "contributions to humanity". - Posted by: Dean McLeod (past friend) on: Jul 12, 2023

• I had the very good fortune to have worked alongside Doreen many years ago. She was a tremendous advocate for Indigenous persons with disabilities in days when there was limited discussion or recognition of their needs or rights. Condolences to her family and friends. - Posted by: Patrick Falconer (Colleague) on: Jul 11, 2023

• I was a friend of hers on many committees, I miss her I did not know she was sick, so sorry for your loss. - Posted by: Joyce Lancaster (friend) on: Jul 11, 2023

• Our Mother, Muriel McLeod, worked for MIEA, when Doreen was a student. Mom thought very highly & fondly of Doreen, admiring her intelligence & wit. I'm grateful to have been acquainted with Doreen & saddened to read of her passing. She will be remembered by our family. In sympathy, Megan - Posted by: Megan McLeod (daughter of Muriel McLeod) on: Jul 11, 2023

• I will long remember Doreen as a fierce advocate for people with disabilities here in Manitoba and across Canada. She displayed determination and perseverance. My condolences to her family. Clare Simpson - Posted by: Clare Simpson (Friend) on: Jul 11, 2023