Doris Marie Barbour

Doris was the last of the Kennies to be born at home in New Horton, N.B. Her parents, Trueman and Viola had two sons, Carl and Donald, and daughter Helen when Doris was born. Her last two siblings, sisters Carolyn and Barbara would be born in the Moncton hospital. Life was simple in the years Doris lived at home – her parents had a small farm, raising cattle, chickens and silver foxes. Most of what they needed they grew, raised or made at home – "store bought" items were few. There was no indoor plumbing, electricity or modern conveniences and Doris remembers working hard as a young girl – cooking on a wood stove, washing clothing and themselves in a tub in the middle of the kitchen, scrubbing the farm dirt off the floors and helping in the garden.

But the Kennies were a close and loving family and shared many happy times and laughs over the years. Doris always said they grew up poor, but never went hungry. One of Doris’s favorite things as a child (and even as an adult) was a freezer of homemade ice cream. It was so special, she said it was the only time she didn’t want to hear footsteps on the verandah because company meant they’d have to share this rare treat. This confession surprises anyone who knew Doris because her generosity was well known and one of her back east sayings was "it’s a small bit that can’t be divided".

 

Doris went to grades 1-8 in a one room schoolhouse just "down the road" from home. During the winter months, she was paid to go early and start the wood stove to warm up the school before the rest of the children and teacher arrived. Doris was baptized at the age of thirteen in the cold waters of Harvey Bank and became a member of the New Horton Baptist Church that year -1948. Doris’s faith remained strong and sustained her throughout her life. Doris relied upon the Lord to protect and comfort her and was thankful for his guidance.

 

There were 8 students in 1953 when Doris graduated from Riverside Consolidated School. Doris began life as a young, single woman working at Eaton’s in Moncton and sharing an apartment with her co-worker, Joan. Doris and Joan enjoyed their early single lives, dating and going to country dances. She recalls thinking that this time of her life was the only period when she wasn’t known as someone’s daughter, wife or mother – she was just Doris! But as was typical during the 50’s she soon met Ralph Barbour from Riverside and they married in May of 1957. Ralph joined the Canadian Navy and Doris never imagined that she would travel so much during her lifetime. Doris always wanted to be a wife and mother, family brought her the most joy. With a husband in the navy, each child was born in a different place – Frank in Moncton, Karen in Halifax, Philip in Ottawa, and Janet in Bethesda, Maryland. With four children born in 4 ½ years and a husband who would be away on the ship for as long as 6 months at a time, Doris’s early life as a wife and mother wasn’t easy. But she developed strong friendships with the other navy wives in married quarters and they supported one another, so it was a happy time.

 

Ralph, Doris and family lived in Dartmouth NS from 1965 -1975. Once all her kids were in school, Doris began working in retail again – this time at Kmart. Doris and family spent holidays and summers driving "back home" to NB, spending time with extended family. Doris’s kids thought it was fun to go "live in the country" coming from the" big city" of Dartmouth. It was wonderful for the family to make lasting bonds with so many relatives. In hindsight, it was also an opportunity for Doris’s children to learn where and how she grew up and gain an understanding of their parents. Ralph left the Navy in 1973 and began working for GE Medical Systems, who would offer him a job promotion in Vancouver, B.C. So, in February of 1975 Doris was once again packing up and moving with her family and cat to B.C. She would find another Kmart and began working again at the store in Port Coquitlam until its closing in 1998. She had made many close friends while working there and was sorry when Kmart shutdown. But it opened another door for her – she began babysitting. The joy of helping to care for children was really all the payment Doris needed – it brought her a sense of purpose and she loved all "her kids" she cared for and all the children in her townhouse complex.

 

Retirement also brought the joys of seeing her children and later, grandchildren grow, marry and raise their own families. Doris loved spending time with her 5 grandchildren – Ben, Steve, Elizabeth, Laura and Jennifer. Doris felt very blessed to have 3 great-granddaughters – Olivia, Eileen and Elaina. Doris loved flying back to NB and seeing her family and made many trips home to NB until travel became too difficult. Over the years, each of her siblings had visited BC and many of her nieces and nephews too. Doris kept in daily contact with her sister Carolyn. The family connection remained strong despite the distance. Doris enjoyed many trips with her children, camping in Manning Park, special theatre shows, flower gardens, the zoo, and restaurant outings. All of these happy memories Doris wanted her family to hold in their hearts and remember her by.

 

Life also brought difficult times. Ralph and Doris separated, and Doris was disheartened that her marriage didn’t last. But they remained in contact until his death in 2008. Doris shared a special bond with her older sister, Helen and returned to NB to care for her as she passed from cancer in 2003. The greatest heartbreak for Doris was losing her youngest daughter, Janet to cancer in 2019. Doris missed her every single day.

 

Doris didn’t have many vices but she did love to gamble. She played Bingo for years with friends and later in life enjoyed playing slots and cards in casinos, especially on trips to Las Vegas with her daughter Janet and granddaughter Jennnifer. She loved to talk on the phone and there wasn’t a story not worth telling more than a few times.

Doris’s eyesight deteriorated, she developed macular degeneration in both eyes and bravely endured the eye injection treatments. Doris was grateful that her son Frank, made his home with her which allowed her to remain living in her townhouse. Doris enjoyed relatively good health until she developed psoriasis and gradually became less mobile. But she remained in good spirits, enjoyed visits at home, and family dinners (especially turkey). Gradually, her condition escalated and she required hospitalization. She was also thankful for all the health care workers who provided care and comfort in her final days. She remained in hospital for her 90th birthday but many of her family and friends were able to share time with her and celebrate this milestone. She felt much loved and truly blessed for all she had in her long life. She did not fear death, because she was ready to go. Doris believed she would be joining her loved ones who went before and she was at peace.

 

Doris will be remembered for her lovely smile, and her warm and generous nature. She was most proud of her 4 children, 5 grandchildren and 3 great granddaughters. Family was the very centre of Doris’s life. Knowing that they were happy brought her the most joy. The Kennie’s believe "Family is our greatest treasure" It is the foundation upon which Doris built her life. Doris loved her friends, neighbours, church and all things sweet Nothing could be too sweet for Doris, she especially loved maple cream Doris loved the colour yellow, hummingbirds and flowers, especially roses.

Doris is survived by three of her four children, Frank Barbour, Karen Wiens (Brian) Philip Barbour (Caprice), her two sisters, Carolyn Kennie and Barbara Miller (Terry), her 5 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, close neighbours and friends. In memory of Doris, she would like all who knew her to be kind and remember happy times.

 

Arrangements are in the care of the Albert County Funeral Home. Honouring Doris’s wishes, her ashes will be buried with her parents, Trueman and Viola Kennie. The burial will take place at 1:30pm Friday, June 26th, 2026 at Hopewell Hill Cemetery. Following the internment, there will be a gathering to celebrate Doris’s life on Friday June 26th 2 pm at the Albert County Career Development Center 5295 Route 114 Hopewell Hill. All who knew Doris are welcome to come and share your memories.

 

She is Gone by David Harkins

 

You can shed tears that she is gone

Or you can smile because she has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left

Your heart can be empty because you cannot see her

Or you can be full of the love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember her and only that she is gone

Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind

Be empty and turn your back

Or you can do what she would want

Smile, open your eyes, love and go on