Doris Bushell

Doris Bushell of Wingham passed away on Dec.17, 2021 at Braemar Nursing Home. She was 92.

 

Doris was the beloved wife of the late Morley Bushell, who predeceased her in 1977. She was the dearly loved and admired mom of Margaret Bushell, Goderich; Marilyn and Derrick Douglas, Alberta; John and Lori, Alberta; Bill and Valerie, Listowel; Barry and Ruth Anne, Wingham and Blair and Eleanor, Komoka. Doris was the loving grandma of Lee and Oz Douglas, Todd and Susan Douglas, Rob and Nikki Bushell, Brianne and Chris Coones, Adam and Jess Bushell, Allie and Matt Gabel, Jennifer and Carl Noel, Amy and Wes Stapleton, Megan and Mike Foxton, Jessica and Dave Reinink and Andrew Barr as well as 10 great-granddaughters and seven great-grandsons.

 

Doris was the cherished sister of Russell Barr, Bracebridge and Donald Barr, Waterloo and dear sister-in-law of Joan Barr, Kincardine and Eileen Barr, Alberta. She will fondly be remembered by many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. 
Doris was predeceased by her parents John and Cora (Percy) Barr, twin brother Jack (2010) brother Percy (2000) and sisters-in-law Barbara Barr and Trixie Barr.

 

Doris (Barr) was born on March 6, 1929 in Holyrood. In 1940, her family purchased a farm near Kinlough, where she lived until she married Morley Bushell in 1951. Together they ran a mixed farm on the 14th (Guest Ave) of Kinloss Township, and welcomed six children. 

 

The Bushell family moved to Wingham in 1967 where  Doris easily made good friends as she became involved in community groups. She was active at St. Andrew’s Church, in Goforth WMS and Three M’s club, with the Legion ladies, Women’s Institute, the hospital auxiliary, the adult day centre, Rebecca Lodge, the quilters’ guild, and more.

 

Doris had many talents and enjoyed baking, sewing, quilting, tatting and rug hooking, to name a few. She wrote letters and poems in rhyming verse, using this talent for many occasions. Today, a collection of hundreds of these which describe day-to-day life, honour a special anniversary, welcome a new baby, congratulate a graduate, carry a get well message, etc. make an impressive collection.

 

There was always a sewing project or quilt being worked on - her own, or the many that she marked the design on for others. She was happy to help anyone who asked for assistance. 

 

Of all her many talents, applique quilting was her favourite and it was never unusual to find pins and needles embedded in the couch cushion or in the carpet.  It's unknown how many quilts she made in her lifetime.  At fall fairs and quilt shows, she won many ribbons and contests.  However, there was one win that brought her some fame and that was the quilt she designed and crafted for Ontario’s Bicentennial quilt contest in 1984.  It earned her first place and the honour of an audience with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip during their visit to Kingston, (Amhertsview) where the quilt was presented to the royals. The family attended this memorable event, bursting with pride. Wingham Town Council also presented Doris with a citizen's citation award for her achievement.  

 

The Huron County Museum houses one of her beautiful quilts, which was designed to represent agriculture in Huron County and once hung at the Clinton Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food office. 

 

Doris enjoyed working as a part-time library assistant at the Wingham Library. Her friendly smile and kindness welcomed library patrons for many years. At home, there was always an interesting stack of library books she’d borrowed to fill her love of learning. At night school courses she learned how to do ceramics, upholstery and cake decorating.

 

Doris had a good sense of humour and was fun to be with, sometimes resulting in fits of giggles. She and Morley played many games of cards with friends and neighbours, attended local theatre and dances, went on bus trips, and enjoyed two overseas trips with the Legion for liberation anniversaries.

 

In her final years, Doris was a resident at care facilities in Ripley and Wingham, living at Braemar since 2014. After a life well lived she was laid to rest in Greenhill Cemetery in Lucknow, following a family funeral at McBurney Funeral Home, conducted by Rev. Carel Gundlingh on Dec. 20.