Obituary of Doris Susanna Shindruk

It is with profound sadness the Shindruk family announces the passing of our Mom, Doris Susanna Shindruk, of Thorburn, Nova Scotia. Mom was born January 16, 1936 in St. John’s Newfoundland to Effie (Spurrel) and James Tilley. Mom met and fell in love with Stan Shindruk in Ontario and they were married there on February 19, 1955. They were blessed with four children, Michael (Ardith), Barbara (Ronnie) Fultz, Jim (Kathy), Cathy (Martin) Bedard. Mom was a loving grandmother to 10 grandchildren, a loving great-grand mother to 13 and a loving great-great grandmother to 2. Mom has been a resident of Thorburn for 47 years. Mom was predeceased by her loving husband Stan on January 22, 1994. She was also predeceased by brothers; Joe (Sade), Phonse (Rita), Alex (Marcella), Tom, Sisters; Josie (Joe)Feit, Theresa (Ernie)White, Kay (Lawrence)MacGillivary, Joan (Tom)Kane, Marg (Bob)Downey, Mamie (Russell)Reid. Mom’s favorite pastime was spending time with her children, preparing and hosting family dinners, that on occasion swelled beyond 30 guests. She never missed an opportunity to break bread with her family and always took a moment to look around the dining room table and be thankful for the beautiful life she was blessed with. Mom also loved reading, playing cards with Dad at local card parties, camping at Eden Lake, going to dances and, in earlier days, motorcycling with Dad. Being the last living Tilley family member, Mom‘s passing closes the Tilley family circle of 11 siblings and parents. Mom bravely battled illness until her body could no longer fight back. She was deeply loved and cared by for her four children who had the privilege of walking her to Heaven’s Gates, where Dad was waiting to walk her through. Although saying goodbye to her children was clearly painful, Mom was anxious for a reunion with Dad that had been 30 years in the making. The Shindruk family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Gadmour and the medical staff of the 4th Floor Medicine unit of the Aberdeen Hospital, as well as the kind, gentle and caring nurses and doctors of the Palliative Care Unit of the Aberdeen Hospital. We saw firsthand how respectful and lovingly Mom was cared for, and it gave us the courage to leave her in their hands to prepare her for her journey home. Finally, the Shindruk family would like to thank Pastor Caroline Barclay for her many phone calls, visits, prayers and words of support offered to our whole family over the years and especially at this painful time. Your kindness and selfless offerings of words of God, meant more to us that you will ever know. Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation at Mom’s request. A private family service will take place in the spring and she will be laid to rest beside Dad, the love of her life, in the St. Ann’s Cemetery, Thorburn. Donations can be made in Mom’s name to the Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care Unit. John 14:1-4 Jesus says “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Fathers house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place I am going.”