Doris Emily Eakin (94), much beloved mother and grandmother, is singing with the angels now. Doris passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on December 17, 2024. She had returned to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia after years of new adventures; coming back to where she started her married life 70 years earlier. Doris was predeceased by a beautiful baby boy, David, and the absolute love of her life, Martin Eakin, as well as her two sisters, Gwen (Groff) of Winnipeg and Helen (Pasquill) of Edmonton.

Born in Wainwright Alberta to Edith and Cyril Smith, Doris was a prairie girl at heart. The family left the farm and moved to Winnipeg where she completed her high school years. Already proving to be an accomplished pianist, Doris won first class honours in piano at the University of Manitoba music examinations in 1944. An adventurous soul, after offering the Valedictorian speech at her graduation Doris set out to see the world with her brand-new Remington typewriter in hand. She got as far as Toronto, promptly fell in love, married Martin Eakin and moved to Nova Scotia where they raised their family. Firstborn was Michael (1955), then John (1959), then, at long last a daughter, Pam (1964). Dori and Marty raised their children with love, respect, a good dose of humour, and the occasional threat of the wooden spoon that, to our memory, never actually connected with a child and is now a family heirloom.

Doris was an intelligent woman who liked to keep herself well informed, tackling noteworthy and challenging reads of each era. She had a deep love for music, literature, and travel as well as a fine eye for the arts. This was combined with a wicked sense of humour, evidenced when she could muster up a chuckle even in her last few days. Another achievement worth mentioning is the Braille certificate Doris earned after retirement with the goal of helping the blind read music.

Mom would sometimes say her epitaph should read "She really tried", but this would not come close to capturing the vibrancy with which she lived her life. She loved to experiment with new recipes and crafts, had an incredible green thumb, loved being outdoors and going for long walks, and of course, dearly loved music. She will be remembered by many as a wonderful piano teacher who taught her students with encouragement and kindness. During her years in Middleton she also enjoyed making music as the church organist for the Anglican church and singing with the Middleton Choral Society. One of her proudest accomplishments was being accepted into the Acadia University Singers.

Doris's beautiful smile and lovely laugh ring on in her children and grandchildren; she is survived by her son, Michael, his wife Laurie, and their two daughters, Sarah and Melissa (Jonathan Lindsay); son, John, his wife Alicia, and their sons Jeremy and Michael; and daughter, Pam, her husband Mike, and their sons Alex and David. Her sense of fairness and appreciation for the beauty in life are the legacies she leaves us. Her family asks that when you take a moment to think of Mom, consider singing out loud with joy and abandon.

For their kind and professional care of our beloved Mom, the family wishes to thank Dr. Stephanie Hall, The VON, and especially the wonderful and caring staff of Oakwood Terrace C-Wing. Cremation has taken place. Funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Middleton on Friday December 27, 2024 at 11:00 am. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to support the Elizabeth Murrah Bursary Fund of the Nova Scotia Choral Federation.