Symes – We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Doris May (Dodie), loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Dodie passed away peacefully on the evening of Jan. 5, 2010 at the age of 96. Predeceased by her loving and devoted husband of over 62 years, Captain William Imison Symes and brother Norman Elgar Leppard, Dodie is survived by five daughters:
-Geraldine Elizabeth Redmond and husband Allan (deceased)
-Judith Ann Nazar and husband Dennis and their sons Jason (wife Amy and daughters Avery and Peyton) and Nicolas (wife Jessica and son Liam)
– Barbara Carlson and husband Michael and their daughter Sami (husband Mike and children Journey and Meakin) and son Cole (wife Lisa and sons Mason, Jaxon and Kaden)
– Margaret Symes and husband David Low
– Debra Doris Snowden and husband Randy and their sons Jake (wife Christina and daughter Abigail) and Joseph.
Also survived by niece Jill Burkinshaw, nephew David Bowcott and their families.
Dodie led an active life, enjoying many years with the Esquimalt Ladies Bowling League and over 45 years of service with The Sons of Norway Ladies Auxiliary.
Dodie will be greatly missed and fondly remembered for her gentle spirit, love of gardening, passion for needleworking and devotion to her family.
We love you Mum
XXXXX
A Funeral Service will be held at McCall Bros. Floral Chapel, Johnson & Vancouver St., on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 12:30 pm. Interment to follow at Royal Oak Burial Park.
In lieu of flowers donations to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation in memory of Dodie would be greatly appreciated by her family.
“Life takes us to unexpected places………Love brings us home”
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Wendy Harris (nee Fredin)
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Joan Cringan I only met Mrs. Symes a few times back in the 1970’s. I was a friend of her daughter Margaret. I fondly remember there was good, homemade baking and tea served in the kitchen whenever I was visiting.
My good wishes go out to the whole family at this difficult time.
Margaret please contact me – love to see you again.
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Rita & George Green To the Symes Family,
Sorry to hear of your Mum’s passing away, we enjoyed having them as neighbours for a long, long time in the Heald Ave Cul-de-sac. It just didn’t seem the same after they left. I know they had to move to Hadfield Rd because of no stairs, but we would see them now and again.
Keep all those happy memories tucked away in a corner of your hearts of both your Mum and Dad, they are together now, Bill playing his fiddle and Dodie dancing up a storm at a Sons of Norway Function somewhere. Condolences from George and Rita Green, sorry we will be out of town the day of the service.
Our family just heard the evening of January 13th of Dodie’s passing on January 5th. We are sorry we were unable to attend her memorial and send our deepest condolences to “the girls” and their families. My Mom (Shirley) met Dodie at Royal Jubilee Hospital in March 1952 when they were in the maternity ward, busy recovering from delivering Barbara and myself (Wendy). Our families became friends from that point on. Every Spring the Symes would come out to our one acre home in Colwood, with its nearby Triangle Mountain and a swamp just beyond our back yard. Wayne, Denise (deceased 1985) and I were always very happy to welcome the Symes girls each Spring when they arrived to collect tadpoles from the “swamp” and have a taste of country life and probably a pot of soup or chili. The Symes always reciprocated with dinners at their cosy home on Lampson Street – the closest to “city life” that we had seen. The music was always brought out – fiddles and accordians – and singing and laughing – fond memories always. My brother and sister and I always referred to Mr. & Mrs. Symes as Auntie Dodie and Uncle Bill. I last saw them a few months before Uncle Bill passed away. Auntie Dodie insisted that Mom and Dad and I stay for “tea” – and tea it was in the refined and relaxed way that Auntie Dodie always had in entertaining. She showed us her needlework and her garden and was as proud as ever updating us on the lives of Gerry, Judy, Barbara, Margaret and Debby – just like old times.
I think of you often and know how much you will be missing your Mum. Please get in touch – I would like to hear from you.
Mom and Dad send their love.
With sincere condolences from the Fredin family.
Wendy Harris