Obituary of Ruby Doreen Fleming (nee Harris)

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Doreen Fleming is home! She passed away at University Gates, Pollock Neighbourhood, with family by her side. She lived her life serving her Lord and Saviour and her communities: Port Credit, St. Mary’s, St. Thomas, Simcoe and Waterloo. 

Her volunteer activities were numerous including, Meals on Wheels, K-W Hospital, RAISE, Habitat for Humanity, Pregnancy Center, Rescued Treasures, and Columbia Forest LTC, and driving medical patients. She worked at Eldorf’s Nuts (“the nut lady”), Hi Neighbour - hostess, Amway, Brinks, St Monica House, Swiss Pantry Donuts, and St. Jacobs Market.

Doreen and Elmer hosted international students from U of W and a trip to New Zealand to visit with two families was a highlight of their lives. They travelled to California, Arizona and Florida with RVICS, volunteering their help at campgrounds and colleges. Doreen fellowshipped at Stanley Park Baptist Church, often driving others to church. She drove into her early 90s and also rode her bicycle and swam up to three times a week. She celebrated her 80^th birthday by swimming 80 laps of a pool. 

She had a funny take on life, and her sense of humour was a saving grace the last few years.

Doreen loved her family even though it got very noisy (but it's a happy noise!) when we grew to over 45 people. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 58 years, Elmer (2005), her parents, Vivian and Ada Harris, and all her siblings and their spouses, Walter (Doreen), Audrey Semenyk (Bill), Everett (Pauline/Nora), Glanville (Fern/Ruth), Margaret Hopper (Albert), Roger (Patricia), her brother-in-law, Douglas Fleming (Doreen/Audrey) and grandsons Wesley (2016) and Harper (2020). 

She is survived by her 3 sons, Gary (Jane), Loren (Barb), and Stephen (Beth). Her beloved grandchildren, Andrew (Marcy), Amy (Eddie), Ben (Kelly), Charissa (Blair), Peter (Becky), Simon (Bronwyn), Timothy (Shawna), Kathryn (Joseph), Bryce (Heidi), and Kaitlyn (Jacob). She is also survived by 20 great-grandchildren, Mattieu, Gloria, Jack, Téa, Keenan, Calle, Russell, Liam, Jace, Nevan, Rafiki, Everly, Bridget, Skylar, Emme, Jensen, Levi, Noah, Nala and Gigi. She will be missed by many nephews and nieces as well as all those who have had the privilege of knowing her. She has left us with a great Legacy. 

Thank you to the staff at University Gates LTC, for the loving care of Doreen for the last two-plus years.

Visitation will take place at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, on Sunday, May 25, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Monday, May 26, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. before the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. The service will be held in the Funeral Home Chapel, and the reception will follow in the Fireside Reception Room. The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home's website.

Condolences for the family and donations to Hermosa Baptist Camp, ShareWord Global, or Stanley Park Baptist Church may be arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or via www.erbgood.com.