Obituary of Doris Edna Beaton (nee Wallace)

Beaton : Doris Edna (née Wallace)           

Passed away peacefully in Oshawa on July 12, 2022, at the age of 92. Pre-deceased by her devoted husband Jack. Kind and loving mother of Julie (Richard) and Wallace (Lisa). Beloved sister of Gordon Wallace (Linda). Cherished Nana to granddaughters Miranda and Fiona. Daughter of the late Almer and Annie Wallace. Will be lovingly remembered by other family and friends.

Growing up on a farm in present-day Scugog Township, Doris’s musical talents manifested themselves at an early age and she obtained her Associate Diploma (Solo Performer) from the Royal Conservatory of Music at the age of 19. Over the next seven decades, she shared her gift of music with tens of thousands in Durham Region and beyond, whether as a piano teacher, organist, and choir director at St. Mark’s United Church (Whitby), music consultant in area schools, or accompanist for various community choral groups including the General Motors of Canada Choir (25 years), Sounds Great and Sweet Charity.  

A gifted singer,  Doris joined the renowned Leslie Bell Singers in 1947 and, over the next decade, performed in countless radio and television broadcasts, recordings and concerts across Ontario, Canada, and the United States. She later became a member and assistant director of The County Town Singers.

Her love of music was equaled only by her love of, and devotion to, her family, including her late husband Jack to whom she was married for almost 70 years. And she continued to share her warm, spontaneous smile and friendly, caring spirit with family, friends, and caregivers right up until her final days.   

A private cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at the DeStefano Funeral Home, 1289 Keith Ross Drive in Oshawa (905) 440 3595 on Tuesday, September 20^th at 10:00 am. A Celebration of Life service and reception will be commence at 11:00am,  Interment at Bethel Cemetery in Greenbank, Ontario will follow.

In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make a donation in Doris’s memory to the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association (Scholarship Fund) or Community Care Durham (Whitby Adult Day Program).  

For those that were unable to attend in person, please   click here to view the service.