Lovena Ellen Doak

I William Doak write to announce the passing of my beloved wife and very best friend, Lovena Ellen Doak. She is greatly missed and her death has left a hole in my life that I don’t think can ever be completely filled. She leaves behind an extremely sad family and countless friends. These include two brothers, Aaron and Zitroy Hall, who presently live in London, England. Along with her two brothers are numerous nephews and nieces who also reside in England. She also leaves behind two sons Sean and Christopher and their children; although not hers biologically, she loved them and they in turn loved her as a mother.  Excitement would shine in her face and in her tears when they came to visit. She extended herself towards helping them every chance she got. The two words that I think truly summarize her character is “SHE CARED”. She truly cared for every one.  She never held a grudge. Unforgiveness was not even in her vocabulary.

Lovena was a young, driven to succeed, Jamaican girl who won an all-island scholarship to go to school.  Lovena was born in Jamaica on July 11^th, 1939 and she came to Canada in 1961 as a domestic in Ontario and within a short time took on the challenge of going to university. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Manitoba and a Masters in Adult Education from the University of Tallahassee, Florida. After obtaining these degrees, she worked in The Pas in northern Manitoba, later moving to Edmonton Alberta, where she worked for the provincial government. We married in 1994.  Before I had met Lovena, I had prayed for God to choose a mate for me (my ability to make good choices was less than exemplar). He could not have done a better job. I knew before we ever got married that she was the one chosen for me. Every day I gave and give thanks for His great wisdom. Until the day she died, Dec. 25, 2022, Lovena and I shared a wonderful life. In total, we were together 35 years. Soon enough we will be back together again.