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Doris Mae Daum (née Mealings), our incredible mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother passed away on Friday January 10, 2025. She was 98, kind and sparkling right up until her last day. Doris was predeceased by her beloved husband Paul Daum and their daughter Paula Davies (Ian). She is survived by her two daughters Beverly (Donnie) and Jill, along with her 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Doris was born in Seattle Washington and grew up in East Vancouver. As a young woman Doris was always adventurous and physically active. From skiing on Grouse to biking the Gulf Islands. She met Paul, the love of her life, on the bus. The two noticed each other on their shared daily route and slowly Paul got up the courage to ask Doris out. They were happily married in 1948. It was an extremely foggy night but the newlywed’s love was clear. Soon they became parents and homeowners taking on a new life together first in Vancouver, then in Burnaby and finally in Richmond. Doris was a devoted mom to her girls and a zealous house cleaner who was meticulous about any kind of dirt or dust. Her big escape from family duties was her weekly bowling night at the Brentwood Lanes. She was a champ and had the trophies to prove it! She was an incredible cook, often weaving family histories into beautiful meals with love. She knit, gardened, enjoyed collecting beautiful things made by hand, theatre, movies and reading. Her and Paul made many pieces of furniture and decor items together, which her family will cherish forever. She was a fierce scrabble contender, playing until 97, and a melderman shark with her grandkids. 

Throughout their married life, Doris and Paul were lucky enough to travel to many exciting places partly due to Paul’s involvement with SMACNA. Those trips gave Doris immense pleasure as she was engaged and interested in the world and art. She was incredibly loyal and hardworking, a diligent stenographer for the same radiologists for over fifty years, retiring past the age of 75. 

As the Daum family grew they experienced many hardships. As a couple married for 60 years,  they endured lots of challenges and overcame plenty of illnesses and losses. Their values and commitment to each other strengthened during their adversities and their love continued growing despite the tough times. After Paul died (2008) Doris didn’t let grief stop her from living. She bravely transitioned into being on her own. She entered independence with grace and determination. With her usual gumption she made more friends, moved homes and boldly said “yes” to any offer for a new experience. 

Doris often referred to herself as “Just the Mom”, but she was so much more.

She was an avid supporter of her family’s pursuits and consistently in their corner. Often going out of her way, Doris would do her best to be at every major life event for her family, dressed beautifully with her hair done. One of Doris’s biggest traits was that she loved so whole-heartedly. Her family was her life and she patiently passed on her knowledge and family traditions to them. And as her family grew, so did her heart. Everyone who met her, loved her. Doris had an open smile, was curious, a “real trooper”,  “knew how to treat people” and she was always “up for anything”. Whether it was a party, a breakfast, a lunch, a dinner, a good laugh or any adventure with one of her loved ones, she was up for it. She was a good and faithful friend, cherishing relationships with those across all ages with interesting conversation and heartfelt care for their lives. She was engaged with her community and all were luckier for it. 

Our family’s graceful matriarch, Doris was an inspiration to so many and everyone was always so happy to see her. Every gathering came alive when Doris arrived. Dressed in pink, with her glowing white hair and glittering shoes she lit up our lives.

4 Comments

  • Joan Gunn
    Posted January 19, 2025 at 6:13 pm

    Auntie Doris was so full of love and you felt it whenever you were with her. A ray of sunshine in everyone’s life!

  • Shaun Cathcart
    Posted January 19, 2025 at 7:25 pm

    When I read in the paper that Doris had died, I felt sad, but when I looked at the beautiful pictures and read the story of her life here, my sadness shifted to gratitude and peace as I reflected on the long and full life of a beautiful, loving person. As a friend of Jill’s, I met Doris over the years at family parties, theatre openings and music events. She was always there and she always was ready for a friendly conversation. With her gorgeous smile, fantastic hair and bright colours, Doris did light up a room! How lucky Jill and her whole family are to have had such a loving, supportive matriarch in their lives for so long.

  • Erian Baxter
    Posted January 21, 2025 at 4:52 pm

    Such a lovely and lively lady and so well captured in this write up. I will also treasure our Doris and Paul creations and still miss my wooden hand made salad tongs that one of the dogs got hold of! Doris definitely did brighten every event – with those sparkly shoes for sure but mostly with her sparkly eyes and genuine interest in whomever she was shining them on. Sending gentle hugs to all the Daum families for this loss. I know Doris will be with you all always in the kindnesses she extended and her friendliness to all. She’ll continue to shine brightly in all of you. xxoo

  • melody anderson
    Posted January 22, 2025 at 4:53 pm

    What a beautiful tribute to a special woman. She certainly did light up the room with her sparkly shoes and sparkly wit. Her kindness, generosity and joie de vivre have been such an inspiration to so many of us. I’ll remember her as the poster gal for how to live a good life..Sending love and condolences to the Daum families..

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