DOREEN WARDLEY-NOWELL

August 11, 2025

Doreen Wardley-Nowell of Kincardine, a veteran of the Second World War, died Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, at the South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Walkerton, in her 98th year. She was married to Albert, who was devoted to her for 50 years before he died in 1999. Doreen was the beloved mother of Jennifer Brown of Walkerton, Stephen of Nanaimo, British Columbia, Teresa (Trent) McNicol of Brantford, and Marlene Nowell of Bowmanville. An independent woman from early on, Doreen left home during the war to work for Sir Julien Cahn at the opulent Stanford Hall, Leicestershire, England, an experience that further moulded her into a determined woman who enjoyed the finer things in life. Her next great adventure, upon turning 18, was to join the war effort. While in the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS/WRENS), Doreen met Royal Navy Seaman George William Albert Nowell and the spark of love ignited. After marrying in 1948 and having two children, they immigrated to Canada in 1957. It was a bold and challenging opportunity but extremely difficult when promised work opportunities were sparse; however, they endured and eventually were able to build a home in their chosen beautiful community of Frenchman’s Bay, Pickering, Ontario, where they proudly brought two more children into their new world and their family thrived. Sadly, their beautiful lakefront property along Squire’s Beach was expropriated and when no amount of fighting worked, they relocated and started over in the quaint lakeside community of Kincardine, where they enjoyed the rest of their lives. Doreen was immensely proud of her grandchildren, Suzanne (Paul), Heather (Cory), Chris (Shawna), Vicki (Khalid), Bryce, Brittany (Khelton), Alexandra, Rachel (Brendan), Kirsten, and Greg. Greater joy came into her life with the addition of great-grandchildren, Bailey (Justin), Taya, Joshua, Grace, Dawse, Kaiden, Ella, Kenna, and Mealah, but nothing could top the pride of holding fifth generation great-great-grandsons, James and Wyatt. Her adored siblings in England gave her beautiful nieces and nephews to treasure from afar, Carol, Alan, Colin and Jill. Albert’s siblings, Sheila Sojka (Zyg) of the Niagara area of Ontario expanded the fulfillment of family in Canada with the addition of nephews, Bernard, Zyggy (Sue) and Christopher and their sister, Kreisha; while back in England, younger brother Colin Nowell (Margaret), raised Pauline and Ian. Coming from the very large, tight-knit, Butler family of Church Warsop in “Robin Hood Country,” Nottinghamshire, England, Doreen leaves behind generations of many cousins whom she loved to hear news of; she especially appreciated the kindness, caring and endless running about that second cousin Gary Spooner always provided when she visited. Sadly, Doreen was predeceased by her loving husband, Albert Nowell; deeply loved sons-in-law, Michael Brown and Tom Keen; beloved daughter-in-law, Helen Nixon; cherished grandson, Bryce Simpson; and heartbreakingly, great-granddaughter, Grace Cuyler, at birth. Doreen deeply missed her siblings, Eric (Eileen), Joyce and Roy. She was brought into this world by her wonderful parents, Kathleen (nee Butler) and Richard Wardley, who was sadly killed in a coal-mining accident when she was seven. Doreen was an icon - a force to be dealt with sometimes, but a deeply caring person who passionately believed in good manners, stiff upper lip, honesty, integrity and financial responsibility, and expected the same of her children and families; she was a feisty woman who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and stand up for what she believed. She ardently supported freedom, justice, human rights, and the rights of women to be independent - a forerunner in women's advocacy. Deep in Doreen’s heart was the love of poetry, artwork and music; she had a beautiful voice and was often heard singing as she did household tasks. Albert, too, had a lovely voice and could tinkle a tune out of most instruments; together, they would sit in the evenings, beside their prized piano, sharing the joy of playing and singing their favourite tunes. Even with the lumps, bumps and hardships that life can bring, Doreen truly lived a rich, rewarding and happy life …. she will be missed. The family deeply appreciates the outpouring of love and condolences that honour the wonderful woman that we all knew and who certainly left her mark on many. A private family interment will be held in the Kincardine Cemetery. In place of flowers, should anyone wish to send expressions of sympathy, donations to the new build hospice in Walkerton via Saugeen Hospice Inc. or the Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce, whom mom has benefited immensely from, would be greatly appreciated by the family. Donations and condolences may be made on-line at www.daveylinklaterfuneralhome.com.