Doreen Waddell (nee Dracass)
Doreen Waddell passed away at Tabor Home in Morden on Monday, January 23, 2023 at the age of 88 years.
Doreen was born on the family farm west of Sperling, Manitoba, the youngest of five children born to Sam and Myrtle Dracass. She grew up helping on the farm and would tell stories about how scared she was of being pecked by the chickens when collecting eggs and trying to dress up the barn kittens. As a teenager she began playing softball on a team that included her older sister, Marion, and future sister-in-law, Muggs. The team was so successful that in 2009 they reunited in Brandon to be inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame. Jack would often remark how, as a teenager, he hated playing catch with her because he was trying to impress her and had to pretend the balls she threw with her wicked arm didn’t hurt when he caught them. He must have been successful because they started dating soon after and the childhood sweethearts married on August 18, 1956.
After high school, Doreen attended Normal School and received her teaching certificate. She spent several years teaching in nearby country schools and in the city at St. James and, after her marriage, Edmonton before settling down to be a full-time mother and homemaker. Jack was employed by CIBC and the couple happily settled wherever the bank took them including Edmonton, Winnipeg (three times), Elm Creek, Gimli and Minnedosa. Daughter, Teri, was born in 1960 followed by son, Michael, in 1967 – the perfect banker’s family, they said. Doreen was always an active community member. She coached youth softball, served as a Girl Guide leader, Kinette and Sorority Sister and volunteered at Concordia Hospital. When the kids were older, Doreen returned to the education field as a teacher’s aide at Tanner’s Crossing School in Minnedosa and Maple Leaf Elementary in North Kildonan. She and Jack also enjoyed travelling, often to Arizona with sister Marion and her husband, Burt. In 2012 Jack and Doreen moved one last time, settling in Morden to be close to Mike’s family.
Doreen is survived by daughter Teri Nicholson, son Mike Waddell (Vanessa), sister-in-law Margaret (Muggs) Dracass and eight grandchildren Jacquie (Rob McGregor), Brad, Rory, Kelsey (Christian Boulley), and Rick Nicholson, Justin Nguyen, Fallon and Darra Waddell as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years Jack Waddell, parents Sam and Myrtle Dracass, brother George (Geordie) Dracass, sisters Ileen Kendall, Muriel Farstad and Marion Mitchell as well as much loved brothers and sisters-in-law.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations in Doreen’s memory may be made to Tabor Home Inc. or Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation.
Doreen Waddell passed away at Tabor Home in Morden on Monday, January 23, 2023 at the age of 88 years.
Doreen was born on the family farm west of Sperling, Manitoba, the youngest of five children born to Sam and Myrtle Dracass. She grew up helping on the farm and would tell stories about how scared she was of being pecked by the chickens when collecting eggs and trying to dress up the barn kittens. As a teenager she began playing softball on a team that included her older sister, Marion, and future sister-in-law, Muggs. The team was so successful that in 2009 they reunited in Brandon to be inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame. Jack would often remark how, as a teenager, he hated playing catch with her because he was trying to impress her and had to pretend the balls she threw with her wicked arm didn’t hurt when he caught them. He must have been successful because they started dating soon after and the childhood sweethearts married on August 18, 1956.
After high school, Doreen attended Normal School and received her teaching certificate. She spent several years teaching in nearby country schools and in the city at St. James and, after her marriage, Edmonton before settling down to be a full-time mother and homemaker. Jack was employed by CIBC and the couple happily settled wherever the bank took them including Edmonton, Winnipeg (three times), Elm Creek, Gimli and Minnedosa. Daughter, Teri, was born in 1960 followed by son, Michael, in 1967 – the perfect banker’s family, they said. Doreen was always an active community member. She coached youth softball, served as a Girl Guide leader, Kinette and Sorority Sister and volunteered at Concordia Hospital. When the kids were older, Doreen returned to the education field as a teacher’s aide at Tanner’s Crossing School in Minnedosa and Maple Leaf Elementary in North Kildonan. She and Jack also enjoyed travelling, often to Arizona with sister Marion and her husband, Burt. In 2012 Jack and Doreen moved one last time, settling in Morden to be close to Mike’s family.
Doreen is survived by daughter Teri Nicholson, son Mike Waddell (Vanessa), sister-in-law Margaret (Muggs) Dracass and eight grandchildren Jacquie (Rob McGregor), Brad, Rory, Kelsey (Christian Boulley), and Rick Nicholson, Justin Nguyen, Fallon and Darra Waddell as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years Jack Waddell, parents Sam and Myrtle Dracass, brother George (Geordie) Dracass, sisters Ileen Kendall, Muriel Farstad and Marion Mitchell as well as much loved brothers and sisters-in-law.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations in Doreen’s memory may be made to Tabor Home Inc. or Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation.