Obituary of Cheryl Ann Doiron

It is with great sadness and appreciation for her life, that the family of Cheryl Doiron announce her passing on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton. Cheryl was born in Saint John on June 6, 1944 (D Day) to Constance (Finigan) Doiron and Cyril G. J. Pete Doiron. Very early in her life, Cheryl was profoundly influenced by the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25 14-30) and by "The Little Way" of Saint Therese of Lisieux, who believed in "doing ordinary things with extraordinary love." These values, beliefs and practices became a lifelong pursuit for her. Family and music were almost synonymous in the Doiron household. Gatherings of immediate and extended family always included sing songs with multiple harmonies. Cheryl and her younger sister, Jane, became known as the "Doiron Sisters" and regularly sang on television and many other venues. Cheryl played several musical instruments which she used to bring people together for enjoyment and fun. Her formal education included: St. Vincent’s Girls High School-graduation diploma; St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing- diploma; McGill University- diploma in teaching and supervision with specialty in Psychiatric Nursing; McGill University- Bachelor of Nursing Degree; University of Ottawa- Master of Health Administration Degree. Cheryl was a grateful and proud Canadian. Over the course of her career, she worked in 6 provinces from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. She loved the diversity of the people and cultures she experienced and was constantly in awe of the beauty of our Canadian landscapes. She never saw her work as a job, rather she believed it was her mission in life. She held the following positions: Psychiatric Nursing Instructor- Provincial Hospital in Saint John; Head Nurse- Psychiatric Day Care Centre and Pyscoendocrine Research Unit at the Montreal General Hospital; Medicine and Emergency Nursing- Mineral Springs Hospital in Banff, Alberta; Assistant Director of Nursing- St. Joseph’s Hospital in Saint John; Assistant Executive Director and Director of Human Resources and Labour Relations- St. Joseph’s Hospital; Vice President of Operations and Planning-Region 2 (Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation); Chief Operating Officer for Integrated Health Services- Surry, British Columbia (Fraser Valley Health Region); Deputy Minister of Health for the Province of Nova Scotia. Throughout her life, Cheryl was a devoted Catholic and Christian, with her focus on the Holy Euchrist. She was an active participant in the parishes she attended, serving in many ministries, such as lector, cantor, choirs, church programs and committees. During her working and retirement years, Cheryl sat on a number of federal and provincial boards and committees, for example, the Canadian Institute of Health Information and Canada Health Infoway. She also served organizations at the local level such as the United Way, The Red Cross and her Alumnae Associations. She was recognized as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada. Cheryl was predeceased by her parents and grandparents and by her great niece Charlotte. She is survived by her partner, Evelyn Pollard; and her siblings; Peter (Jeannette) of London, ON; Jane (Daniel) Lockhart of Fredericton, NB; Michael (Diane Barr) of Baltimore, MD; Robert (Bob) (Pamela), Patrick (Tammy) and Christine, all of Saint John. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, whom she dearly loved; Liane, Peter Jr., Judy, Joanne, Brent, Tara, Tony, Elizabeth, Amy, Niki and Alex, as well as 18 great nieces and nephews, and many cousins and friends. Cheryl and her family would like to thank all who travelled with her through life, especially during her final journey. Loving family and friends made her life a joy and she had great fun with a never ending sense of humour. The Extramural and Palliative Care Staff and Physicians were competent, caring and exceptional people who engendered confidence and peace. Thank you all!!! God bless you Cheryl, good and faithful one, until we meet again. Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, (634-7424) where visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 25 from 3 PM – 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 26 at 12 Noon from Our Lady of the Assumption, 360 Dufferin Row, west Saint John. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated