Doris Ann Van de Sype

Doris Ann Van de Sype, late of Weyburn, SK, passed away January 11, 2020 at the age of 85 years.

She was predeceased by her parents, Morley and Annie Giroux; her in-laws, Remie and Mary Van de Sype; grandsons, Aaron, Jason and Mark; great-great grandson, Austyn; brothers: Hugh, Gordon, Raymond Giroux; brothers-in-law, Dale Broker and George Karch; sisters-in-law, Joan and Margaret Giroux.

Doris is survived by her husband, Mel; children: Valerie (Tim) Dychko, Russ (Cathy), Kelly (Deannda), and Kurt (Janine); grandchildren: Melissa, Caily (Phil), Kyle (Katie) and Jorgia, Shane and Paige (Kevin), Kale and Jayk; great grandchildren: Laynee, Kalla, Tate, Jasten, Noah, Hannah and Joey; brother, Moe (Darlene) Giroux; sisters: Noreen Karch, Jeanne (Jim) Simmons, Marion (Don) MacPherson, Eileen Broker; sisters-in-law, Faye (Tom) Saunders, Doris Giroux; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Doris Ann Van de Sype was born January 19, 1934, to Morley and Annie Giroux, who lived south of Weyburn. Doris was brought into this world by Gramma Sarah Giroux, on the farm. She was the oldest girl of nine children. Her father Morley Giroux came from Hull, Quebec while her mother, Annie Craig, came from a Swiss heritage. Annie lived in the Lampman area, before she met Morley, who ran a dairy farm. Annie worked as an administrative secretary, for the Saskatchewan Provincial Police.

Doris grew up on their dairy farm. She then, left her family to attend the Forget Convent for three years. Summers home meant doing chores like feeding and watering the cows.

After grade three, Doris went to a private school in Sedley. She attended school there until she came back to Weyburn to attend Weyburn Collegiate. In 1949, Doris played first base for the Beaverettes. Her uniform was displayed out at Tatagwa. After high school she went to Business Management School (1950) and then started a job with the Saskatchewan Health Region #3. Her typing skills were highly sought after.

 She moved to Red Deer, Alberta (1952), where she worked at the Bank of Montreal. She later moved to Regina where she was the office manager for Bowman Auto. Around this time, (1954) she met Mel Vande Sype, a farmer from Radville. They dated and married in 1956. They then moved to Radville. There she made many long-time friends like Merle Boreen and Joan Larsen and Iona Larsen. These ladies did everything together and were all special to Doris.

In 1957, they built their first home and had their first child. In 1965, Doris became the chairman for the Hospital Auxiliary for the Radville Community Hospital.  That same hospital is where all four of her children were born.  Mel’s father, Remie, passed away in 1967, and together they decided to sell the farm and make the next chapter of their life in Weyburn.  Mel took a position with North American Lumber in 1968.

In 1975, Doris started her office manager position, for St. Vincent de Paul Church.  For 15 years she worked with the Catholic Priests Father Leibel, Father Marcotte, to Father Gerry Bauche.  She did everything from collections, bulletins, board meetings, committees, hall rentals, all with the highest efficiency and professional ability.  She cherished this job and loved every minute of church community.

In 1980 for two months, they spent visiting Doris’s parents down in Mesa, Arizona.  Mel and Doris shared in the maintenance of the trailer and park.  After Doris’s dad passed away in 1980, Doris continued to take her elderly mother to Mesa, for the warm winters.  She loved her time with her Mom and being a compassionate person, took care of her until her death in 2003.  Doris was a great caregiver; living in Weyburn, meant looking after her mother and Mel’s mother daily, as both parents battled health issues.

In 1990, Doris and Mel started to live in Mesa, Arizona for six months of the year.  Summers were filled with time (35 years) at Kenosee Lake, where Mel and Doris built a paradise for the kids.  In 2010, Doris suffered a heart attack, in Scottsdale, AZ and recovered in fine Giroux tough style.  The last five years of Doris’s life, she began a slow decline with memory issues. She struggled, but loved to keep her daily routine of coffee with the ladies on Maple Drive and at the Dairy Queen.  She enjoyed every moment with friends, family, grandkids, and her husband Mel. Doris was an elegant lady who had endless clothes and always looked radiant.  Doris was known for her meticulous ironing.  Doris was a “ray of sunshine”, gentle, kind, smart, and witty.  Doris loved everyone she came in contact with.

In 2017, Doris moved into Tatagwa, where she was cared for by the great staff in House #6.  She always looked good as Mel insured her best outfits were in perfect appearance, with the pleat in the proper location and the pants on a proper hanger.  She cherished the family photos of her four children, eight grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren that filled her room.  Mel visited EVERY day, for those three years and talked to her every night.  Mel’s care for her was so caring and loving that her days in the care home were as comfortable and loving, as living at home.  Mel’s dedication, to the love of his life, was admirable.

November 20, 2019, entertainers Country Blend, where a long time friend of 25 years, on piano, Crazy Fingers (Gordie Lindquist) played and dedicated Doris’s favourite song “Music Box Dancer” to her.

Our hearts ache with sadness and many tears flow.  What it meant to lose you, no one will ever know.  We hold you close within our hearts and there you will remain to walk with us throughout our lives until we meet again.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, January 31, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. from St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church with Fr. Gerry Bauche celebrant. Urn Bearers were Kyle Van de Sype and Kale Van de Sype.  Luncheon followed at the McKenna Hall, Weyburn, SK. Interment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, for family and friends so wishing, charitable donations in memory of Doris may be made to a charity of your choice.

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