SPARKES, Doreen Elnora 1935 – 2016

Sparkes-Doreen Elnora (nee Marks)
November 8, 1935 – September 30, 2016

Doreen got her call on September 30, 2016 at the Vulcan Hospital after a lengthy illness of C.O.P.D.

Doreen Sparkes was born in Armada Alberta on November 8th, 1935. Doreen was the eldest child of William and Hazel Marks. Doreen was born a pre-mature baby and the odds of her survival were great but her Grandmother Annie Marks (nee Stokes) went right to work to save her. Grandma Annie constructed a homemade incubator with whatever was on hand. Obviously Doreen beat the odds and became a healthy robust infant. Doreen’s next hurdle was that she was born deaf and had surgery to correct that when she was 4. Growing up on a large farm, Doreen had all kinds of pets, cats, dogs, new born calves, she truly loved animals. It wasn’t long before her siblings started arriving. Her oldest brother Leonard arrived in 1939 followed by her little sister Gwen in 1941 and finally her baby brother Tommy in 1946. Doreen loved all of the little ones and quickly became a surrogate mother to all of her younger siblings, all of this while doing all sorts of chores, gathering eggs, feeding cattle, house cleaning and meal preparation. She honed her culinary skills at an early age and went on to be one of the best cooks in the country. Doreen excelled in school and breezed through her education in Lomond Alberta. Although Doreen loved all of her family she could not wait to leave the farm and move to the city in the pursuit of her dreams.

Doreen moved to Calgary in the early 50s and moved in with her Grandmother Annie Marks, eventually graduating from Mount Royal College while working nights at Alberta Government telephones working as an operator to offset her college expenses. Upon graduating she started her new job with the Royal Bank of Canada as a Teller. Within the first year she was promoted to a supervisory position. She proudly memorized all the account numbers of her customers and never had to rely on the file cards for the information. In December of 1955 she met the love of her life Bill Sparkes. They dated for a few months, got engaged and were married on November 24th 1956. Their beautiful daughter Karyn Darlene was born in 1957 and two years later in 1959 a son Vernon William. All of Doreen’s dreams were coming true, she and Bill bought a house in south west Calgary – she had a great husband and two children which she adored, what could go wrong? In the spring of 1960 her father Bill purchased another farm in Bow City Alberta and needed someone to look after it so he offered the job to Doreen’s husband. Bill jumped on the opportunity and quickly accepted the position as it was his dream to live on a farm. Doreen was devastated, the last thing she wanted was to go back to the farm but as was her disposition, she gave up her dreams for those of her husband’s. She would follow him anywhere. They lived happily in Bow City until they relocated to the home place and reopened the Armada general store and post office. This venture was not very lucrative so it was permanently closed in 1962. A third child, Lisa Viola was born at this time; however, sadly she died 2 days after birth. Doreen and Bill remained in the small house behind the old General Store until the original homestead house where she was born was relocated across from the Church and was ready to move into. Completing their family, the youngest son James Robert was born in 1964.

Bill and Doreen looked after the farm and ranch operations until 1971. As Bill’s right hand man, Doreen provided home cooked meals for the hired men and would spell them off and run the equipment while they enjoyed their meals. Her favorite piece of equipment was the combine and she had the innate ability to recognize the slightest noise to know when something was wrong. She even worked as a welder and mechanic whenever Bill needed a helper. During this time, her mother Hazel received devastating news of an early diagnosis of Parkinson disease. Doreen travelled to various locations with her mother in hopes of finding a cure. She became her full time care giver as the disease progressed until Hazel eventually went in to a care facility in Vulcan. In 1972 they bought and relocated to a beautiful farm south of Nanton, Alberta. If farming and ranching wasn’t enough, Doreen successfully opened and operated the Nanton Flower and Gift Shop from 1975 – 1980 with her daughter Karyn and dear friend Opal Duthie. She was extremely proud of winning the Diamond Award for the highest gift sales for all of western Canada. In 1974, the Sparkes’ sold the farm south of Nanton and bought a half section adjacent to the town west of the Avenue. However, once again they were pulled back to Vulcan as her father Bill Marks became ill and she provided him full time care until his passing while they continued to operate that farm until 1984 as well. Shortly after they moved to Red Deer and opened the Sparkes Boat Rentals with sons Vern and James in Sylvan Lake, Alberta. At that time they also managed a mobile home park in Red Deer full time. Their final relocation was to Champion, Alberta in 1990 where they purchased and operated the Champion Car Wash until retirement. Doreen’s husband passed away in 2004, breaking her heart but not her spirit. She continued to enjoy visiting with her 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren right up until the end of her life.

Doreen was extremely intelligent and participated in life to the fullest. She had an intimate relationship with Our Lord and was well versed on the teachings from the Bible, often stumping Pastors on her knowledge and recollection of scripture. She never turned down a request for help and her kitchen was always open for a coffee, a drink, a laugh, a tear , a joke, a story, advice, a bit of gossip, medical care or whatever else you might happen to need on any given day and always, always, the best home cooking, baking and canning you’ve ever tasted. With Doreen, you knew that everything was made and shared with love and kindness. Her generosity knew no end. Some of the many hats she wore over her 80 years were: Daughter, Sister, Mother, Devoted Wife, Friend, Best Friend, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Surrogate Mom, Confidante, Farmer, Rancher, Entrepreneur, Chef, Landlord, Doctor, Mystic, Comedian, Problem Solver, Family Doctor, Flower Specialist, Crochet and Knitter, Seamstress, Gardener, Community Volunteer, Care-giver, Psychic, Butcher, Baker and Candlestick Maker.

Loved by all, Doreen Elnora Sparkes will be sadly missed by those that had the pleasure of being part of her life.

Doreen is survived by her children: Karyn (Peter), Vernon (Joan) & James (Leeann). Her grandchildren: Jason (Amanda), Alesha (Derek), Penny (Joe), Billy (Shantelle) and Holli Jo. Great grandchildren: Dane, Sara, Brook, Shelby, Kayden, Chloe, William & Cooper. She was predeceased by her husband Bill, daughter Lisa Viola, parents Bill & Hazel, brother Leonard.

Doreen would like to let you know that her work here is done. She received a call, sort of an offer you can’t refuse, for a destination from which she will not be returning. She will now be enjoying a long awaited reunion with family and friends she has not seen in a long time. Her new journey takes her to a wonderful place where she will be taking full beautiful breaths, socializing, dancing, gardening and telling stories to her heart’s content. Music, laughter and love are guaranteed and food is delicious. She left detailed instructions for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to celebrate her life here, which has now been completed. Doreen is now at peace.

We, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren want to let her know that she did a remarkable job and wish her a safe journey. We love her very much. We will miss her immensely. We will always remember her smile, her devotion, her warmth, her wit, her energy, her love for life, her love for family and friends. She worked hard all her life until illness overcame her. She made a difference in all the lives she touched. We invite you to join us and celebrate together

If you wish to say goodbye personally, Doreen’s viewing will be at the Vulcan Funeral Home on Thursday, October 6, 2016 from 12 to 2 pm. Cremation will follow the farewells.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, October 14, at 2 p.m., at Vulcan Royal Canadian Legion, 240 Sinclair Road, in Vulcan AB.

In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, please send a donation to Vulcan County Health and Wellness Foundation, Box 28 Vulcan, AB T0L 2B0.

Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.