Beverley Jean (Sunley) Doran

Beverley Jean Doran (nee Sunley)

March 15, 1935 – January 3, 2017

Beverley Jean Doran, age 81, passed away peacefully at Birch Lodge Personal Care Home on January 3, 2017.  She was born on the family farm March 15, 1935.  She attended Blaris School, just a short walk away, from Grades 1 to 8.  During this time she learned to play the piano – something she enjoyed for most of her life.  She finished her schooling at Isabella, taking Grades 9 to 11 there.  After her own schooling, she taught in a one room school for a year.  Returning home again, she worked at the Manitoba Dairy and Poultry Co-op in Miniota as an egg grader and a bookkeeper.

On October 30, 1957 she married Edson (Ed) Doran.  For the first few years they lived on the upper floor of the farm house with her in-laws living on the main floor.  As typical for the era, she worked in multiple aspects of the rural farm life.  She cooked, cleaned, kept a large garden, picked raspberries and raspberries and more raspberries, picked strawberries and other wild fruit as it was available.  There were 500 laying hens to tend to.  She became known as the ‘egg lady’ delivering eggs on a weekly basis to local customers.  She also helped with the feeder pig operation.  When the livestock was sold and the farm became strictly a grain and oilseed operation, her participation continued.  She was the one and only truck driver keeping meticulous records of fields and production.  Another part of her life on the farm was mowing the grass - and lots of it.  She enjoyed this task as it was her relaxing outdoor time.  In 2008, Ed and Bev hosted the 100th anniversary celebration of the farm with many family members and friends attending.  The highlight of the occasion was the appearance of an old, restored truck.  It was the one Ed had when he and Bev were dating and they got to go for a ride in it once again.

She was an active community member involved with the Blaris Church, the Isabella Church, the Isabella Rink, the Isabella Community Hall, and the Isabella Museums.  She helped out with the bonspiels, sports days, fall suppers, museum days and many other functions in the community. She played many years of ball with friends and, later, rejoined the sport playing on the same team with both of her daughters.  She was a meticulous crafter throughout her life.  Whether it was making new of old, farm jackets for the grand kids, slippers, flower arrangements, puzzles, or cake embellishments for the birthday circle, she would enjoy herself and generate a fine end product.  She enjoyed her role as grandma and great-grandma.  Recitals, hockey games, birthdays, grads, weddings, baptisms and other events were attended as long as she was able.

Bev was predeceased by her husband Ed Doran; parents Ernie and Allie Sunley; step-mother Kate Sunley; sister Marie (Burton) Johnston; brothers Vern (Marg), Ray, and Glen Sunley. She is lovingly remembered by her children Diana (Walter) Brydon, Ruth (Cameron) Gammack, Kevin (Ceri) Doran; grandchildren Robert (Falon) Brydon, Christie (Jon) Chabot, Randi Gammack, Karli (Tyler) Loos, Tyler Gammack, Sarah Doran, Thomas Doran; great-grandchildren Katlynn, McKenzie, Pearce Brydon, Mirae, Hayden, Zachary Chabot, Conrad Loos, sisters-in-law Bernice Still, Marg Gregory, Fay Sunley and several nieces and nephews. 

A funeral service was held at the Isabella Church on January 9, 2017.  Pall bearers were Chris Sunley, Cal Johnston, Cam Gregory, Rusty Still, Randy Still and Dale Sunley.  If friends so desire, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, PO Box 2248 Stn Main, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 9Z9 or the Isabella Community Centre, Isabella, MB, R0M 0Y0.