It is with deep sadness that the family announces the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Doris Veronica Anstie, (nee Boylan). Doris died peacefully, with family at her side, September 26th, 2022 in Oakville, Ontario in her 103rd year.

Doris was born on November 7th, 1919 in New Ross, Nova Scotia to Kathleen (nee Lyons) and Frank Boylan, the third of seven children who have all predeceased her: Helen, Jean, Polly, Lucille, Gerald and Basil. Doris loved and missed them all dearly. She was also predeceased by our father John Kingdon Anstie in 2010, to whom she was a devoted and loving wife for 62 years. We take comfort that she is reunited with all of them.

Doris leaves behind to mourn her four children: Paul, William (Patricia), Jane (Andrew Rockandel) and Catherine (Brian Leon) and her beloved grandchildren: Sarah, John, Lucy, Patrick and Michael. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Lise Boylan and Elizabeth Boylan, and many loved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Doris spent her early years in New Ross, Nova Scotia where her father owned a hotel and later a general store. Family life was simple and rooted in a deep Irish Catholic faith whereby life revolved around the family's parish church community, St. Patrick's.

Doris spent her childhood years attending a one-room schoolhouse in New Ross and later attended Mount Saint Bernard College in Antigonish, graduating with a two year certificate in Business Studies. She also attended classes at St. FX and throughout life looked forward to reading her copy of AlumniNews.

Doris was full of interesting, quirky and very humorous stories about life growing up in the country and later her adventures at college and in Halifax where she worked in the Pathology lab of the Victoria General Hospital. During WW2, she and her sisters had many exciting times in Halifax, attending social events, including weekly "supper dances" for the Allied Forces stationed there. It was during this time that she met her late husband, John Anstie who was an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces.

John and Doris married in 1948 in Halifax and lived in the house her father built at Nauss Point in Chester. In 1960 the family moved to Halifax and then to Toronto and later Etobicoke and Mississauga. Nova Scotia remained dear to Doris's heart; she always considered it home.

Doris worked for the federal government for 18 years at Statistics Canada in Toronto from 1975-1993. During this time, she made lifelong friendships with her colleagues in the computer room.

Our mother was a sweet, kind and rather ironically funny lady who took the greatest pleasure at the simple things in life; a cup of tea, a chat, tending to her beautiful gardens and houseplants, or planning the annual fruitcake baking ritual. Most of all, Doris loved her time spent as "Nana" to all her grandchildren, with whom she had a very special and loving bond.

Never one to complain, Doris was cheerful and always had a smile, making the best of all situations. She relished her independence but accepted help with grace. She was a beautiful person, both inside and out and we will miss her dearly.

The family would like to thank all of her many caregivers for their kindnesses over the last several years.

If desired, donations in Doris's memory can be directed to a charity of your choice, or to Feed Nova Scotia . In keeping with family tradition, a funeral Mass for Doris will take place at St. Augustine's Church in Chester, on Friday October 21st at 2pm. Burial will follow at the family plot in the church cemetery.

Toodle Loo, Mum. Thank you for everything. We love you.