Obituary of Doreen Ratsoy

January 17, 1932 – Stavely, Alberta

January 31, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

The family of Doreen Ratsoy (nee Malchow) is deeply saddened to announce her passing on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at the age of 92 years. Doreen was predeceased by her husband Alex, in 2020; her parents, Fred Malchow and Anna McKerrow; and her three sisters and seven brothers. She is survived by her children, Allyson, Blair, and Laurel; son-in-law Dane; grandson Kyle; sisters, Wilda Burns and Gloria Sakatch; and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Doreen was born and raised in Stavely. She was the eighth child in a family of thirteen, and she cherished her memories of life on the farm. She stayed in close touch with her childhood friends and was always happy to go for a day trip to Stavely to see the town, the farm, and her family and friends. Doreen trained as a teacher in Calgary and Edmonton and later attended the University of Calgary. Her long career encompassed teaching in elementary schools in Stavely, Taber, Red Deer, and at Killarney, and Colonel Irvine in Calgary. She then taught kindergarten at the Highwood Community Hall for twenty years before retiring in 1993. Doreen loved to reconnect with her students and their parents, and she enjoyed visits from some of them on her last birthday.

Doreen was a people person and liked nothing more than spending time with her family, her many friends, and good neighbours in the community of Highwood, where she lived for over 60 years. She loved to keep busy, even as her health and energy declined, and led a full life. Some of her favourite things included: the congregations of Wildrose and Pleasant Heights United Churches; her garden through the summer and indoor plants and flowers through the winter; trips near and far; long walks in parks and short walks in malls; the Highwood Seniors Group; genealogy; CBC radio; Wordle and crosswords; Jeopardy and Escape to the Country; Lunchbox and Rosebud Theatres; tole-painting and paper marbling; curling in community leagues and cheering for Rachel Homan and Kevin Koe; and the Calgary Public Library and large-print books.

Doreen was grateful for the skill, expertise, and kindness of the many healthcare providers who cared for her. Sincere thanks to Dr. Adanna Ejeckam, Dr. Rene Lafreniere, and Dr. Hyea Min Yoon; the staff at Tom Baker Cancer Centre and Peter Lougheed Hospital; Calgary Mobile Labs; and Thomas Yip and Diane at the Medicine Shoppe.

Funeral Services for Doreen and Alex will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6) on Friday, February 9, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Doreen’s service streamed live (see link below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 - 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: 1 (866) 412-4222. www.albertacancer.ca/memorial or to a charity of your choice.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Doreen’s family here.

In living memory of Anna Doreen Ratsoy, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.

Click to Sign the Video Guest Book and Watch Anna's Funeral Service