Doreen Elizabeth Blight (nee Miller)

Peacefully on Monday, February 3, 2025, Doreen “Doddy” Blight passed away with family by her side at Douglas Campbell Lodge at the age of 93. 

She was predeceased by her husband of 69 years, Don Blight; son Rick Blight; parents Don and Mary Miller; sisters Margaret Miller, Dawn Alayne (Jim) Galbraith and Marilyn (Dave) Miller. 

Doddy will be lovingly remembered by daughters, Kathy (John) Isaac, Leslie (Doug) Dornan of Winnipeg and Kelly (Jim) Krzyzaniak of Neepawa; daughter-in-law Donna; brother Brian (Ida) Miller; grandchildren, Heather (Neil), Chris (Tracey), Michael (Wendy), Ryan (Erika), Sarah (Brent), Josh (Darcy), Tyson (Elaine), Kyle (Sarah), Halli (Quintin) and Abby; great-grandchildren Willow, Annika, Kellen, Sofia, Evan, Elise, Fiona, Cora, Bentley, Hudson and Avery; along with so many extended family and friends. 

Born June 14, 1931 at home in Oakville, Doreen was the second daughter of Don and Mary Miller. Sadly, in the same week that her grandmother died of diptheria, her older sister, Margaret contracted and died of the illness as well. Dawn Alayne and Marilyn Adrienne were new additions to the family followed by Brian, her only brother. One younger cousin couldn’t say Doreen and called her Doddy, leading to her lifelong nickname. 

Doddy attended school in Oakville and Isaac Brock schools, eventually graduating from Oakville High School. Don and Mary Miller’s home in Oakville was across from the old school. Doddy remembers having the principal and various teachers rooming in her home growing up. Her dad, Donald, survived WW1 but lost his eye in the conflict in a battle near Vimy Ridge. Doddy remembers doing her homework on the front lawn listening to Don and Mary singing Amazing Grace in the old Oakville Knox United during funerals. 

Doddy continued her education by earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952 from the University of Winnipeg, making lifelong friends in the process. She met the love of her life, Don, at school in Oakville. They dated for 6 years until she graduated, risking being back to her residence in time for curfew by attending some of his hockey games. Overtimes meant races back to the city. Don (Ding) and Doddy married in Oakville Knox United on July 18, 1953 and established their home in Oakville. Their first child, Kathy, arrived followed by Rick, Leslie and Kelly. In 1960, Doddy returned to school to earn a Bachelor of Pedagogy, allowing her to become a teacher. She held teaching jobs in Austin, High Bluff, Oakville and PCI in Portage la Prairie. She loved her students and teaching.  

Being married to Don, Doddy was drawn into sport pastimes as well. She started golfing with Dad and loved to play with the Portage Ladies’ groups. She was especially proud of her hole in one and in winning the Senior Ladies Tournament. When Don took up downhill skiing, Doddy took up the sport and after many lessons and an early rather rough relationship with downhill slopes, she grew to love skiing with family and friends in beautiful places such as Lake Louise, Banff, Panorama, Fairmont, etc. She had passions and skills of her own, also. She was an amazing cribbage player and talented knitter. She completed a beautiful, complex baby blanket for each new great grandchild. 

Don and his wife Doddy were strong supporters of community. They worked to support the construction of the United Church in Oakville and Stride Place in Portage. Doddy served on the School Board for many years. She and Margaret Wilson were two of the people who arranged for swimming lessons at Norquay Beach through the Red Cross so that local children could learn to swim and stay safe in the water. She volunteered to help with the many community activities her children were engaged in: hockey, figure skating, swimming, baseball, choir, 4H, CGIT. She worked tirelessly with the Women’s Christian Association in Oakville and later volunteered with the Manitoba Cancer Society. 

In 1996, Don and Doddy purchased a house in Highland Fairways in Florida. They had 20 years in their Florida winter home where she enjoyed golf, good friends and visits with family. They loved to travel and were able to visit Hawaii, Russia, Spain, the Caribbean, Alaska, Jamaica and many other destinations.  

With Doddy’s children and friends, it was always clear that she expected us to always do the right thing, emphasized when she used her “teacher’s voice”. However, she had a fun-loving side too, evident over coffee with friends and glasses of white wine with siblings and golf buddies. She loved music and dance. She had a beautiful smile.  

Losing her son, Rick, so unexpectantly was a devastating blow to Doddy and Don. However, they attempted to turn their pain into constructive initiatives such as support to the new arena in Portage and a golf tournament in Carmen stressing the importance of addressing mental health challenges.  

The family would like to thank the staff at the Gladstone Health Centre and Douglas Campbell Lodge for all they did to make Mom’s final year more comfortable. We would also like to express our appreciation to Darren Miller and family for inviting Mom to meals and helping with moves, to Cathy Vanstone, Colleen Jury, Christine Davidson and Cherry Ann Chandler (Doddy’s adopted daughters), Norma Einarson and Ida and Brian Miller for their love and support. 

A memorial service will take place at a later date in Oakville

As expressions of sympathy, donations can be made in Doddy’s memory to the Central Plains Cancer Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage La Prairie, MB, R1N 0K8.  

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com