Obituary of Doris Thomson

(nee Giberson, formerly Moorhouse) September 10, 1923- February 7, 2021 Doris passed away at the Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital on February 7, 2021 at the age of 97 following complications after hip surgery related to a fall. Survived by her children Daniel Moorhouse (Janet Huebert), Donna Cunningham (Sandy), and Julia Kollar. A devoted “Grammie” to her grandchildren Graeme, Erin (Sam), Elizabeth (Dave), Cameron, Martin (Heather) and Brandon. Loved dearly by her great grandchildren Alex, Ruby, Abram, Louis, Neil and Robin. Doris is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her husbands Verner Moorhouse (1979) and Derek Thomson (2012). Also predeceased by her sons-in-law André Gauthier (2009) and Raymond Kollar (2017) and her cherished daughter Mona Moorhouse (2017). Mom grew up in the village of Bath, New Brunswick, the oldest of her four siblings, Polly, Holland, Jack and Marie, all of whom predeceased her. Her sister and best friend Polly Hargrove died in 2015. Mom moved to Toronto at the age of 18 to work in the high explosives department of a munitions factory in Scarborough. She met her first husband, Verner, who was from Arnprior, at a dance. She raised her four children while working as a hairdresser and devoting herself to the care of her increasingly ill husband. She met her second husband Derek while working in the kitchen at the Toronto Island Natural Science School. She and Derek retired and built a small home on the cottage property she so loved on the Ottawa river and enjoyed many years there before moving into the Arnprior Villa. Mom was a quiet person with a strong faith, which helped her through many crises in her life. She was truly accepting of and interested in everyone. The word most often used to describe Mom was “lovely”. She loved it when an interesting chatty resident was assigned to her table in the dining room and missed them when they were gone. She read the Ottawa Citizen every day and could discuss what was happening both locally and in the world. Mom became a huge Senators fan while living close to Ottawa unless they were playing Toronto of course. We will all miss her terribly but are grateful that we had her with us for as long as we did. She was a treasure. Many sincere thanks to all the wonderful caring staff from the Villa who worked so hard to keep Mom and all residents happy, healthy and safe especially during this past year. Doris’ arrangements have been entrusted to the Boyce Funeral Home Ltd, 138 Daniel Street North, Arnprior where a memorial service will be held Saturday September 25, 2021 in the Boyce Chapel at 11:00 a.m. Interment Arnprior Albert Street Cemetery. Reception to follow at the Boyce Reception Centre. Donations to a charity of your choice in Doris’ name are welcome.