May 9th, 1927 - June 16th, 2021
Doreen passed peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of Wednesday, June 16th, 2021. Doreen was born on the 9th line of Pakenham, Ontario to Hilda (Graham) and Frank Levi. She was the second oldest of six children – Bernice, Boyd, Ivan, Ed and Wayne – a very close-knit family. Doreen left the farm for Ottawa to attend the “High School of Commerce” and then a career as a secretary in the Government for the Royal Canadian Navy. It was during this time that she met and married a young Royal Canadian Air Force gentleman named Ken Peck. They were married in 1951 and within months Ken was posted to Washington, DC. They moved into a brand-new high-rise apartment building – 5 blocks from the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue. Doreen was employed as a private secretary working at the Embassy of Pakistan. Doreen and Ken made wonderful friends and had many adventures in the US. They returned to Alymer, Ontario then to the RCAF Station Gimli, Manitoba. They welcomed their first child, daughter Colleen while stationed in Gimli. Another transfer to Camp Borden and another addition to the family, daughter Janine. Ken retired from the RCAF in 1966 and the family moved to Barrie. Doreen was a MOM – she baked, sewed, played with her kids, was always a gracious hostess, had lovely neighbourhood friendships (Joanne Russ, Mildred Cameron & Evelyn Miller), and she supported Ken in his many endeavours. Doreen returned to school (Georgian College) to qualify as a Legal Secretary. Doreen had a rewarding year working for Dr. Peter Dean when he was the “District 705 Governor” for Rotary International. She worked and volunteered at Collier United for many years, producing the Collier Link and the weekly bulletin. Doreen loved having her family close to her – Colleen, Janine, her son-in-law Phil and Grandchildren, Samantha and Joshua. Extended family often stayed at the Peck home –Scott Peck, Liz Levi, and numerous Rotary Exchange students. Dinners were always an occasion – often with “names” for special dinners (Festival Chicken!). Ken and Doreen were a dynamic duo. Doreen was always the support, inspiration, and soul of our family – she will be dearly missed. Doreen will be remembered with love by her Sisters-In-Law, Jean Levi and Bev Peck, her many nieces and nephews and especially LoriAnn and Joanne Russ. Our family will be eternally grateful to the staff at Amica Little Lake for their exceptional care and compassion – in particular the Memory Care Neighbourhood team. Donations in Doreen’s memory may be made to Collier Street United Church (Specifically the elevator refurbishing project – payment via cheque or e-transfer to [email protected]) Messages of condolence may be forwarded to the family through www.adamsfuneralhome.ca