A lifetime of giving is difficult to measure. Thus, it is with great sadness that the family of Betty Doreen Nixon (nee McCollough) announces her passing on August 10, 2023, a peaceful end to a lifelong commitment of service to friends, family and community. Doreen is survived by Keith, her husband of 67 years; children Karen (Lyle), Mitch and Cheryl; son-in-law Jeff; her grandchildren Amanda, Kyle, Craig, Shelby, Emily, Jessica and Hannah; and many more great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her beloved daughter Kathy and grandson Trevor.
A born-and-raised Calgarian, Doreen proudly wore a pin attesting to her Calgary roots and never failed to attend a Calgary Stampede for 77 consecutive years. An adventurous spirit, fate intervened to introduce Doreen to her truest companion Keith, who was transferred to Balmoral School as a teenager. She introduced herself to Keith by tossing pebbles at the back of his head at a baseball game to get his attention. For her efforts, she won his heart.
Doreen settled down and raised her four children in the community of Greenview in the home she and Keith built in 1960. She was an avid volunteer, giving much of her spare time to the Thorncliffe-Greenview Community Association, as well as the Rotary Club of Calgary. In her later years, she and Keith become avid travellers, visiting Great Britain, Ireland, France and the United States, with Las Vegas being a favourite destination, visited by the couple no fewer than 40 times.
The family would like to provide its heartfelt thanks to the Carewest George Boyack facility, which allowed Doreen to spend her final days in comfort and grace, surrounded by loving family members. While flowers are appreciated, the family asks that memorial contributions be considered in lieu to go to the Thorncliffe-Greenview Community Association’s Christmas adopt-a-family program.
A Celebration of Doreen’s life will be held 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, September 2, 2023, in the Thorncliffe Room at the Thorncliffe-Greenview Community Association at 5600 Centre St. N.
