CAMERON, Lorraine “Lelaine” Marie (née Duigou)

April 23, 1945 — February 23, 2021

Lorraine “Lelaine” Marie Cameron (née Duigou), 75, returned to her heavenly home suddenly on February 23, 2021, after a courageous battle with cancer. Her devotion to her family and friends and her firm belief in God sustained her in her battle and ultimately gave her peace.

The following excerpt from the song “Teach Your Children Well”, by Crosby, Stills & Nash which was not only one of her favorite songs but would become one of her many mantras to follow in life.

“You, who are on the road
Must have a code that you can live by
And so, become yourself
Because the past is just a goodbye

Teach your children well
Their father’s hell did slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick’s the one you’ll know by

Don’t you ever ask them, “Why?”
If they told you, you would cry
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you”.

Lorraine was born in April, 1945, to Joseph and Rosalie Duigou (née Duperron) and raised on the family farm in Atmore, Alberta. She was immersed in the Catholic community that would become a home away from home when she lived and studied at the convent in Lac La Biche Mission in her elementary years and later in Plamondon School.

Lorraine left the farm at the age of 19 to attend the School of Nursing RNA Program in Edmonton, AB. She graduated from the RNA Program in 1965 and took her first job at the Royal Alexander Hospital in Edmonton.  Her next move to Calgary, AB would start a 28-year career as an LPN at the Foothills Hospital. In her early twenties she met James Doig.  They married in1969 and welcomed their first and only child, Mark, born in October,1973 at the Foothills Hospital. During her tenure at Foothills Hospital she worked on many units including, Pediatrics, Burn Unit, Orthopedics and at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. She worked long and tirelessly to support Mark throughout his upbringing.  Her marriage with James unfortunately ended in divorce in 1986.

“And you (Can you hear?) of tender years (And do you care?)
Can’t know the fears (And can you see?)
That your elders grew by (We must be free)
And so, please help (To teach your children)
Them with your youth (What you believe in)
They seek the truth (Make a world)
Before they can die (That we can live in)”.

Sometime later, she met Blaine Cameron and started yet another chapter in her life; she and Blaine married in October,1989. They celebrated Mark’s High School Graduation from Saint Francis High School in 1992 after which he was accepted into the Architectural Technologies Program at SAIT.

On a warm sunny day in their backyard in August, 1999, Mark and Angela celebrated their wedding on August 7, 1999 when Mark and Angela Doig (née Wiltse) tied the knot. In the next five years, Lorraine’s three grandchildren were born: Brianna in August, 1999; Brittany in March 2002; and Justin in August, 2004, Justin having the same birthdate as his grandfather Jim Doig.

In 2002, Lorraine’s husband Blaine was transferred with his job at Windsor Plywood to Edmonton, and she followed shortly thereafter in 2003. They lived in Sherwood Park for four years followed by two years in St. Albert.   During that time Lorraine did what she knew and loved the most; caring for people as an LPN at the Grey Nuns Hospital from which she retired.

“And teach your parents well
Their children’s hell will slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick’s the one you’ll know by”.

Lorraine’s dream of living in the beautiful sunny Okanagan was realized in 2007 when they moved to Westbank, BC, where she said she retired.  That was short-lived as she fell in love with her new part time job with HomeInstead Senior Care where she worked until 2018.

The last chapter took a lot of us by surprise with Lorraine’s diagnosis in December 2020 with cancer; however, she fully accepted this and began her treatments in January 2021 at the Kelowna Cancer Centre Monday to Friday, five days a week for five weeks. This unfortunately proved to be too much for her body to handle. She left us this final mantra that she shares with us:

“The 5 Rules To Be Happy”, The Fable Of The Donkey

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Love more.
5. Expect less.

In closing:

“Don’t you ever ask them, “Why?
If they told you, you will cry
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you”.

Lorraine was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Rosalie Duigou; her Brother Ronald; and her sister Madeleine. She is survived by her son Mark Doig (Angela) and her husband Blaine Cameron and his two daughters: Fay Tainsh and Penny (Stephen) Donnan. She is also survived by her oldest brother Lucien (Lynne), brother Gilbert (Joanne), and sisters Beatrice Varley and Bertha Bilous (George), as well as by many other relatives and friends.

Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. A Graveside Memorial will be taking place at the cemetery in Atmore, Alberta, also at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Lorraine’s memory to any of the following: Canadian Mental Health Association; Alzheimer Society Of BC; or Kelowna Gospel Mission

Take this opportunity to share a message, story, or picture to the family as a way of remembrance by scrolling down the page to the area called “Condolences”.