Doreen Cole

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Doreen Annabelle Cole. Mom passed away peacefully at the Grandview Personal Care Home with family by her side on Monday, May 19, 2025.
Doreen was born on March 14, 1936, in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba to Joseph Able Priest and Dorothy Gladys Priest (Rosevear).  She grew up with her older brother Donald and younger siblings Melvin, Percy and sister Josephine .
In 1953, Doreen married Frederick Robert Cole. Together they had two children Leonard and Gail (Wilson).
Mom worked at various jobs throughout her life. She worked at the Gilbert Plains Bakery, a private Care Home in Winnipeg, Dauphin Downtown Dry Cleaners and was a Custodian at CIBC and the post office in Gilbert Plains. She also operated the Gilbert Plains Coffee Shop and worked in the Gilbert Plains Hospital. Mom worked 20 years at the Gilbert Plains Personal Care Home, retiring in 2001 as Head of Housekeeping.
She had great pride in her garden and flowers. Mom kept her yard immaculate. If she wasn’t working outside in her yard, you would most likely find her inside her house cleaning with a ” toothbrush”. Mom ‘s house was so spotless you could eat off the floor. Her freezer was always full of homemade perogies and according to her granddaughter Breanne, no one can make cabbage rolls like Granny, they were the best. She was always eager to put the kettle on for company to sit and have tea and you never left hungry. When mom found time to relax, she enjoyed watching a good movie, reading, writing in her journal, picnics at the lake, fishing and road trips.  She loved being a Granny more than anything.
Doreen is predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Dorothy, her brother Percy, sister Josephine, brother-in-law Gordon Watson, nephew Wayne Watson and her sister-in-law Joan Priest.
Left to cherish Mom ‘s memory are her son Leonard and his wife Kim, daughter Gail and her husband Greg Wilson. Grandchildren Melissa, Brett, Chantel (Mark) and Breanne. Great-Grandchildren Finley, Declan, Kinsley, Harper, Lennox and Lauren. Her brothers; Donald, Melvin (Lorraine) and sister-in-law Debbie, along with numerous nephews, nieces and extended family.
Mom lived a life built on love, laughter, hard work and a good cup of tea. She always said, “Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today”. Our loving Mom, Granny, Great-Granny, Sister, Aunt and Friend will be missed immensely.

When you lose your Mom,
You lose your best friend,
And it changes your life forever.
A piece of your heart goes with her to Heaven,
And your life will never be the same again,
Nothing or no one can ever replace her.

A Celebration of Life was held for Doreen at 3:00 pm on Saturday, May 24, 2025 from the Gilbert Plains Legion Hall located at 19 Burrows Ave West.

Should friends so desire, donations in memory of Doreen may be made to the Arthritis Research Canada, Alzheimer Society of Manitoba or a Charity of One's Choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Doreen Cole, please visit our floral store.