Doreen (Beattie) Wesner

With grateful hearts for a life well lived, the family of Doreen Wesner of Bonnyville, Alberta formerly of Victoria, British Columbia announce the passing of their beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother on Wednesday January 1, 2025 at the age of 84 years.

Born to Hector and Evelyn Beattie, Doreen was raised in Esquimalt, BC on Paradise St.  She, along with her older sister Bette and younger brother Jim, would share stories of a wonderful, happy childhood filled with much love, laughter and music.  She loved music and dancing. During her teen years she was a part of the Victoria Girls Drill team with her best friend, Kathy Gale (nee: Curtis) and Ann Freer (nee: Gale).  She was also a drummer for the Victoria Pipe Band and won several medals for her Highland Dancing.  She was so very proud of her Scottish heritage.

Doreen grew up close to the naval base and always said she would never marry a sailor.  On December 23, 1960, she married Dave Wesner, a sailor. They had 2 children: Tracy & Tony and settled into Navy life. Mom worked outside the home and was employed mainly as an office clerk and bookkeeper.  The last 2 jobs were with the Glengarry & Aberdeen Hospitals in Victoria.  Two months before her 55th birthday she was struck with a brain aneurysm and although it changed their retirement plans she was still able to do many of the things that always made her happy: spending time with family & friends and many road trips with Dave.  After Dave passed away, Doreen moved into the Alexander Mackie Lodge in Langford, BC. where she was close to much of her family and lifelong friends.

The last 3 years found her health slowly declining so she made the decision to move from Victoria to Bonnyville, AB to be closer to her daughter.  She enjoyed going to the arena to watch her great grandson play hockey and the soccer field to watch her great granddaughters. She was so proud of all her grandchildren and their accomplishments.

In the wee hours of Jan 1, 2025 with Tracy by her side, she passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus where she was taken to her eternal home in Paradise.

Leaving to mourn with cherished memories is her daughter: Tracy (Jim) Hebel; grandchildren: Kristie(Tim) Toews, Kayleigh (Neil) Kirk, Jacob Hebel, David (Sondra) Wesner, Brooke Wesner; great grandchildren: John, Elizabeth, Anna, Ava and Matthew Toews; brother: Jim (June) Beattie; brother-in-law: Gary (Olga) Wesner; sisters-in-law: Ruth Bartinski, Donna (Eldon) Kerbes; as well as  very special nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Doreen was predeceased by her husband: Dave Wesner; son: Tony Wesner; great granddaughter: Faith Toews; parents: Hector & Evelyn Beattie; sister Bette Redfern; brothers-in-law; John Redfern, George Bartinski.

As per Doreen’s wishes cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will take place at a later date.

 Memorial tributes in memory of Doreen may be sent to a charity of one’s choice.