Doreen S. Allen

Doreen Shirley Allen, formerly of Retirement Miramichi, passed away after a lengthy illness at the Miramichi Regional Hospital on Saturday July 6, 2019 at the age of 81.   

Born June 28, 1938 at Black River Bridge N.B. and raised in the home of her grandparents George and Katherine (Sweezey) Fowlie of Little Branch, Doreen was the daughter of Osborne MacDonald and Marjorie (Fowlie) MacDonald Lamkey.

Soon after her graduation from St. Michael’s Academy in Chatham N.B., Doreen was employed as Executive Secretary to the Station Commander at CFS St. Margarets.  By 1957 Doreen was in Europe where her husband Don Osmun was stationed as an airman with the RCAF and 3 Fighter Wing (434 Sqn.) in Zweibrucken Germany.  Don and Doreen returned to CFB Chatham in 1960 where Don crewed the flight line as a jet engine tech and where he would be chosen to join the RCAF Golden Hawks Aerobatic Team.  By 1962 Don and Doreen and their young family transitioned with the Golden Hawks to Trenton Ontario where Don was a Crew Chief and engine tech with the Golden Hawks till the team’s disbandment in 1964.  By 1966 the family was posted to CFB Southport at Portage La Prairie Manitoba.  It was here that Doreen was employed at The Manitoba Home where she cared for those, including adolescent children, who were severely mentally challenged.  Upon the family’s return to Miramichi in 1971, Doreen continued this line of work caring for clients at the Chatham Rehab Centre.  Doreen also worked for years at Hickey’s Drug Store in Chatham and eventually retired after working as the receptionist for Dr. Mark Creaghan in Newcastle.  Doreen was a member of “The Wing” gang in Chatham for many years and she and Danny Allen loved to socialize and entertain at their home on Marven St. in Chatham.  Doreen loved the sun, the sand and a good tan and she and Dan would travel at every opportunity.

   
For many years prior to her passing, Doreen had been suffering from multiple chronic health issues which kept her from enjoying her final years to the fullest.  Despite her pain and suffering on many levels, she managed to maintain her devilish sense of humour and quick wit right to the end.  In her final years, Doreen would often recall the love and happiness of growing up among her extended family and friends in Black River Bridge and Bayside.  Doreen loved birds and animals of all sorts, but she especially loved her pets… her last being her much favoured Garfield clone and long-time faithful companion “George.”

 
Doreen is survived by her sons Wayne Osmun (Sherry) of Miramichi, and Barry Osmun (Tanya) of Dartmouth Nova Scotia, grandchildren Donald Osmun (Sarah) of Medicine Hat Alberta and Ashley Osmun (Conor) of Vancouver British Columbia, Taylor Osmun (Marie) of Fredericton and Brandon Mitchell of The United Kingdom, and by three great-grandchildren, William Osmun and Edward Osmun of Medicine Hat and Rachel Osmun of Fredericton.  Doreen is also survived by her sisters Sandra Lee (MacDonald) Searle of New Glasgow Nova Scotia and Toby (Lamkey) Daley (Keith) of Napan, and step-daughters Dawn MacGillivary and Trudy Allen and their families of Nova Scotia, as well as several nieces and nephews.  Doreen was predeceased by husbands Donald Osmun and Daniel Allen, her daughter Sherry (Osmun) Mitchell, her brother Bobby MacDonald of Toronto, her brother-in-law Peter Searle and her beloved step-father Donald Lamkey.

At Doreen’s request there will be no viewing and no public funeral service.  A private family memorial will be held at a later date in Black River. 

In memory of Doreen, donations may be made to St. Stephens United Church in Black River, the Black River Cemetery Fund, The Miramichi SPCA, or any charity of one’s choice.  Arrangements are entrusted to Adams Funeral Home Ltd., 140 King St., Miramichi, telephone 773-3492 or messages of condolence may be sent online to www.adamsfh.ca

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