Lena Doreen Loor

In Loving Memory of Doreen Loor

February 5, 1928 – October 28, 2025

It is with deep love and gratitude that we announce the passing of our beloved Mum, Doreen Loor, at the age of 97. A second Mum to some, Grandma, GG, Auntie, and a dear friend to many, Mum lived her life with a positive outlook, healthy habits, and a true joie de vivre that carried her well past her goal of 85 years.

Mum, born Lena Doreen Easterbrook was proud to say she was conceived in England and the first Easterbrook born in Canada. In 1937, her coal mining family moved from Nanaimo to Cumberland where they lived near No. 8 mine before moving to Cumberland’s Chinatown then settling in a cozy home on Windemere Avenue. As a young teenager, she worked at Tarbell’s Hardware Store, where she delighted in unwrapping and displaying bone china and elegant figurines—treasures she would later proudly display in her own home.

In 1947, Mum met Dad (Albert) at a dance in Cumberland. Saturday night dances were a highlight of their courtship and the beginning of a beautiful partnership that brought joy, laughter, and deep companionship. They married in 1951 and moved to Nanaimo where they raised Randy and Shaun, and built a home filled with warmth, laughter and love.

Mum and Dad were fun loving people who made friendships that lasted a lifetime. They enjoyed camping trips with close friends, cruises, holidays to Britain, Europe, and across Canada, and celebrating many Christmases with friends and family laughing until the wee hours of the morning. When they were home, they enjoyed summer evenings on their back porch, watching the sunsets over Mount Benson and reminiscing about their adventures, dear friends, and many dances.

Mum’s home was always tidy, cozy, and welcoming—a reflection of the care and love she put into everything she did. Mum had a huge collection of ornaments and delighted in decorating her home for every season.

Mum enjoyed many activities throughout the years. She loved to walk, she curled, played bocce, attended fitness classes, monthly luncheons with friends, she tended to her beautiful, manicured garden, and was an avid reader. Like her talented Mother, she too was an exceptional knitter and stitcher who joined many sewing clubs over the years. She loved her annual stitching retreats on Thetis Island. Mum had a wonderful sense of fashion and an especially keen love of shoes. Her lemon curd, Christmas baking, brandy hard sauce and rum sauce on her homemade Christmas pudding were legendary among family and friends.

Mum’s love of children led her to a rewarding career in early childhood education, where she helped nurture and guide young minds at Departure Bay Daycare. After that, she lovingly and proudly babysat her “grandson” Trevor which was one of the highlights of her life.

Mum was predeceased by her parents, Leonard and Florence Easterbrook, husband Albert Loor and sister Thelma Anderson.

Mum is survived by her children Randy (Leah) and Shaun (Ray), and many nieces and nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Mum had a beautiful smile, an infectious laugh, and a quick wit that could light up any room. She never complained, always approached life with patience and grace, and offered wisdom and guidance without judgment. Her sense of humour, kindness, and steady optimism left a lasting impression on everyone she met. Mum was an inspiration to us all.

We are deeply grateful to our family and friends who visited Mum over the years. Your kindness and companionship meant the world to her. A special thank you to the compassionate staff at St. Charles Manor for their care, warmth, and support during Mum’s stay—you truly made a difference in her life and in ours.

We, Randy and Shaun, feel profoundly privileged to have had such an incredible woman to call our Mum. Her spirit, laughter, and love will live on in our hearts forever.

Keep smiling, Mum—it’s time for you and Dad (a.k.a. Fred and Ginger) to get back on the dance floor!

A celebration of Mum’s life will be scheduled in the New Year.

If you would like to commemorate Doreen’s life, please consider a donation to the BC Children’s Hospital or another charity of your choice.