KOOY, Doreen
Posted: January 29th, 2019
KOOY
“Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with God” Micah 6:8
Doreen Renae Kooy was born January 31st, 1956, in Lethbridge, Alberta. She passed away, surrounded by much love, on January 26, 2019 in Calgary, Alberta, due to complications from open heart surgery. She was 62.
Doreen leaves to her memory her mother, Alice Kooy, whom she deeply loved and cared for, her siblings, Cheryl (Eugene) Boehr, Peter (Diane) Kooy, Delbert (Lucy) Kooy, Julie (Henry) Klok, as well as 14 nieces and nephews, 18 great nieces and nephews, all of whom Doreen adored and was immensely proud of. She also leaves to grieve her very good friends Margit and Doug Stratton and family (Victoria, B.C.) and Barbara Fraser (Edmonton, AB). She was predeceased by her father, Albert, in 2014.
Doreen grew up on her family farm near Nobleford, AB. She was born with Turner Syndrome but never let this define her or stop her from living a rich and full life. Doreen pursued a variety of career paths, from legal secretary, tour bus guide, to revisiting the halls of school and obtaining her BEd from the U of L. She taught in Rocky Mt. House and Edmonton Public before going on to adult education and career counseling at NAIT, Concordia, and then Co-op Supervisor for the U of L ‘Dhillon School of Business’, Calgary Campus.
Doreen was passionate about education and was dedicated to championing her students in learning and in their career path. She was always interested in other people’s lives.
Doreen gave to the work of Intervarsity, Birthright in Lethbridge and Edmonton, church council at First Baptist Church in Edmonton (to name a few), and, most recently, encouraging young girls with Turner Syndrome in Calgary.
Her faith and spiritual journey were very important to her. She knew that where she was, God was. As well, topics of excavating our inner and outer lives were matters of great interest to her. Books about living with integrity and leading with courage were staples on her bookshelf.
Doreen endured 2 hip surgeries in the past 3 years and came through with her usual pluck, eager to try out new physical challenges. As she exerteded herself she knew something wasn’t well with her heart. On January 15, Doreen went in for an angiogram thinking she would undergoing an angioplasty. She was devastated to learn she required immediate open heart surgery. She carried in her hands on the 15th a prayer she wrote out and lyrics to the song Hands by Jewel. They were read many times to her over the days as she courageously faced the days following surgery until the day she slipped away from us. Her heart just wasn’t strong enough to endure the rigours of the operation with the addition of her Turner Syndrome. Our small but mighty Doreen will be sorely missed. Her courageous spirit, generosity, kindness, love and light will go on to inspire us.
A celebration of life will take place at 1 pm Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church, 260 McGill Blvd. W Lethbridge. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Doreen’s memory to U of L ‘Dhillon School of Business Annual Fund’ (https://shine.ulethbridge.ca /make-a-gift/) or The Turner Syndrome Society of Canada (info@turner syndrome.ca) Calgary Chapter.
To send a condolence please visit www.salmonandsons.ca
I was saddened to hear of Doreen’s death but am heartened to read she lead a full life before the face of her God and in the eyes of her family and friends. May God comfort you all with many good memories and the hope of the Resurrection. She will be sorely missed! Love, Noreen (Postman) Vos
Julie, we are sorry to hear about your sister and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You and Henry were special neighbors to us. God Bless. From Zandy and Jean
Dear Kooy family,
We were saddened to hear of Doreen’s illness and passing. As you celebrate her life and go forward, we trust you will know the comfort and peace that God graciously gives.