Doris M. Howell ( nee Hickmore)
November 15, 1915 - October 5,2014
Doris was born on a homestead at Winnifred, Alberta. Her family moved to Ponoka, Alberta in 1925. She resided there until 1998, when she moved to Salt Spring Island, BC, and enjoyed her Brinkworthy home until 2012. She remained independent until failing health necessitated her move into Lady Minto Extended Care Unit.
Doris worked for many years in Ponoka as a bookkeeper at the Central Alberta Dairy Pool, payroll officer for the County of Ponoka, and medical records supervisor at the Ponoka Medical Centre.
She participated in many community and charity events, including fundraising for the Ponoka Seniors’ Centre. She was a member of the I.O.D.E., the Ponoka Sunshine Singers, and a founding member of the Ponoka Bell Ringers.
Doris had a strong will, keen mind, and resourcefulness which got her through difficult times. An avid reader, she followed current events and politics with great interest; and had a particular fondness for Canadian history and understood the importance of knowing it. There was no excuse for not knowing what was going on in the world!
Doris was skilled in many handcrafts including sewing, knitting, crocheting, weaving, and pottery. She learned china painting in her 70’s. Raising flowers, especially orchids, was another passion. She had a great love for animals. Bird-watching gave her hours of pleasure.
She is survived by: daughters Lois (Ed) Peterson, Salt Spring Island, and Linda (Otto) Zerbe, Ponoka; five grandchildren Janine and Gavin Peterson; Stephen (Diana) Zerbe (Chad and Matthew);Lynette Hazelwood (Nathan and Nicholas; great-great grandson Jayden); Darren Zerbe (Brandon and Kaitlynn); sisters Helen McGillivray and Elsie Mather; many nieces and nephews.
She was pre-deceased by her husband David Howell (1963); parents Thomas and Elizabeth Hickmore; brothers William, Stanley, Ernest, Frederick; sisters Ivy Wills, Margaret Guertin.
At Doris’ request, no funeral service will be held. Interment will be at Forest Home Cemetery, Ponoka.