Obituary of Doreen de Freitas

August 20, 1927 - Sheffield, England

October 4, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Doreen De Freitas of Calgary, AB, passed away on Friday, October 4, 2024, at the age of 97 years.

Doreen was born on August 20, 1927, in Sheffield, England. She was the youngest of four children, her siblings, Ena, Kathleen, and Jack were all born in the same house, in Sheffield, England, to parents, mom Ethel Gains (nee Kidger, b.1889, Derby) and dad Fred (b. 1894, Nottingham) who also lived in Sheffield for most of their lives. Fred was in both World Wars, and all of Doreen’s siblings were involved in World War II. Doreen was in the WAF (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force) during the war and continued to receive a token monthly WW2 pension until her death.

Doreen was predeceased by her husband Rhodes De Freitas in 1988, daughter Sally (Robb) in 2013, and son Chris (Nancy) in 2017.

She is survived by her son Tim (Tina), grandchildren, Alex of New Zealand, Andrew (Rachel) of Brazil, Amanda and Rachel of Cochrane, AB, Kurt of Calgary, AB, and Emily of Fernie, BC; and great-grandchildren, James and Wesley of Cochrane, AB, and Cosmo of Brazil.

Doreen met Rhodes Edmund de Freitas near the end of WWII. Rhodes was a volunteer from Trinidad in the Royal Air Force. He was about to be deployed to the Pacific Theater at the end of the European conflict, but that war abruptly ended there as well, and so his demobilization to his country of origin was imminent (Trinidad). Because of this, Doreen and Rhodes decided to marry in haste, in 1946, but it was a marriage of true love, that lasted until 1988, the year Rhodes passed away.

Doreen and Rhodes immigrated to Trinidad in 1946, shortly after their marriage. Until that time, Doreen had never left the UK. She had no clothing for the tropics and decided to buy her only set of clothing, a wool suit, with coupons that were given to her on discharge from the WAF. On the way to Trinidad, via Bermuda, Belize, and Jamaica, she landed at Port of Spain, where she lived with Pops and Meta’s at the de Freitas family house for some time, while Rhodes worked in the oil fields. This was a very happy time for Doreen as she started the next three decades of her life as a “West Indian”. She enjoyed many hours with her favorite activities, including tennis and golf, and she spent much time with the de Freitas family in Port of Spain and San Fernando. Rhodes and Doreen would go often, “to the islands”, or to Tobago, since Rhodes cherished flying light aircraft for many years after leaving the Royal Air Force. Over the decades, Doreen became very close to the large de Freitas family in Trinidad and kept in close contact with all of Rhodes’ many siblings throughout her life.

After a brief stay in Port of Spain, Rhodes and Doreen moved to Point Fortin, where Rhodes worked as an operator at the Shell Oil Refinery. There, Chris, Sally, and Tim were born and went to school. Doreen was a loving mother and avid golfer and tennis player. She took her kids to the many beaches in Trinidad and to the nearby jungle. Sally and Tim spent many weekends and summers in the jungle catching butterflies, and Doreen decorated her walls with mountings of these beautiful insects. The economy in Trinidad took a dive in the 70s and they decided to immigrate to Antigua, whilst Chris went to University in Canada, for his MSc and BSc degrees.

The three to four years in Antigua were also cherished by Doreen, Tim going to a local school, while Sally spent most of those years in Barbados, at boarding school. Another downturn in the economy led Doreen and Rhodes to immigrate to Toronto, Canada.

In Canada, Doreen continued her activities in golf but spent most of her time with Sally and Tim, and the growing number of grandchildren. While Sally and Tim visited often, she dearly missed Chris’ family (Alex, Andrew (sons), Nancy (wife)) who made a great life in New Zealand. However, the New Zealanders had many extended visits to Canada, which she adored.

In 2023 Doreen’s health required her to move to Alberta to be closer to Tim and family. Doreen had a healthy, happy and full life for 97 years, but her health deteriorated in her last year, and she resided at the Sage Hill retirement home in North Calgary. She passed at the Foothills Medical Center. She will be dearly missed by all her friends and family.

A Celebration of Doreen’s Life will be arranged at a later date.

Doreen loved animals and supported these organizations most of her life. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to A.A.R.C.S. – Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society, 5060 – 74th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 3C9, Telephone: (403) 250-7377, www.aarcs.ca/donate.

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

In living memory of Doreen De Freitas, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.