Lorraine "Bunny" (Shea) Doucette

We the family of Lorraine (Bunny) (Shea) Doucette sadly announce her passing on May 11, 2024 at Buchanan Memorial Hospital, Neil’s Harbour, at the age of 85. Mom was born on Feb 7, 1939, the youngest daughter of Tom and Bridget (Dunphy) Shea.

At the age of twenty-one Mom fell in love and married Ted Doucette. Ted’s first wife Gemma passed away shortly after the birth of their seventh child leaving him struggling to run a business and keep his family together. Mom took on the role of step-mother to his young family and did the best she could to make sure that life went on and the family stayed together. Mom and Dad also had three children together.

Following the death of her husband Ted seventeen years later, Mom’s life changed course. She rebuilt her life away from her beloved Ingonish and moved to Sydney and later to Ontario where she worked as a caregiver.

Mom found love again when she returned to Ingonish for her family reunion. There she met and fell in love with a wonderful man, Gordon Doucette (Papa G). She returned to the community she loved and married Gordon. Mom lived in Ingonish for the remainder of her life. In Gordon’s later years she lovingly continued the role of caregiver for Gordon until his passing and also to his son John.

Mom was known for her baking and cooking skills. There was always something in the oven and a pot of soup on the stove when you entered her home. Many visitors left her home with a bottle of preserves or cakes and loaves. She was especially known for her carrot cakes. It was a privilege to receive a carrot cake from her for Christmas or other occasions. Many of her cakes were sold at sales and auctions in the community. She took pleasure in giving and was known in the community as a kind, generous and caring woman. She welcomed everyone into her home and the conversation would start with “Would you like a cup of tea?” Nobody left hungry. She hosted large gatherings at her home including a breakfast for relatives at the Shea/O’Shea family reunions. The highlight was her fishcakes and beans.

Mom was very social and enjoyed her gatherings with friends to celebrate their birthdays as well as her craft group and her volunteer work for the CWL.  Mom’s faith was very important to her. She was an active member of St. Peter’s Parish.

Mom had many people in her life who were very special to her. She had many close friends who continued to give their love and support until she passed. One person she loved like a son, her neighbor David Buchanan. She often said, “I don’t know what I would do without him”. David visited her daily at home and in the hospital until the end. His kindness, love, and support will never be forgotten.

Mom was predeceased by her husbands Ted and Gordon, her brothers Frank (Shadow), Ted, Aussie, Desi, Reed, Clifford, Michael (Butch) and Ken.  She was predeceased by her sisters Catherine, Cyrileen, Coralee, Joan, Beverly and Eileen. She was also predeceased by her infant daughter Nicole and step-daughters Sandy Doucette and Debbie Donovan and her sons-in-law Dennis Whitty and Bud (JJ) Tonet.

Mom is survived by her sisters Sheila Cameron, New Waterford and Jackie Doucette, Ingonish. She is also survived by sisters in law Betty Doucette, Ingonish; Lizzie Shea, Ingonish and BJ O’Shea, Alberta and brother-in-law Phil MacNeil, BC. 

Left to mourn are her children Della Doucette (Bob), Bedford; Greg Doucette, Dartmouth and TJ (Brandi) Doucette, Alberta. She is also survived by her step children from her first marriage Bill Doucette, Ingonish; Ivetta Whitty, Sydney; George Doucette, Ontario; Leo Doucette, Dartmouth and Lloyd (Dale) Doucette, Ingonish.

From her second marriage she is survived by step-children Virginia (Bob) O’Reilly, Ontario; Jane (Bob) Doucette, Sydney; Claire (Dave) Fraser, BC; John Doucette, Ingonish and Barb Fenn, Ontario.

Also left to mourn are her grandchildren Jeffery (Bernadette) Whitty, Andrew (Casey) Doucette, Robert Doucette, Andrea Doucette, Joey Donovan, Gemma (Dave) Donovan, Emily Donovan, Jillian (Chrissy) Tonet, Stephen (Jess) Tonet, Evan Doucette, Jacob Doucette, Lily Doucette, Grace Fraser and Michelle (Arden) White as well as great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In keeping with her faith Mom will have a celebration of her life at St. Peter’s Parish, Ingonish on July 19, 2024. Visitation will begin at 11am and mass will follow at 2pm.

Thank you to all of you who have touched Mom’s life in so many ways. To the home care nurses who provided support in her home for many years, the doctors and nurses at Buchanan Memorial who provided Mom with comfort and peace in her final months and to those who visited, brought treats, cards and well wishes and reciprocated the love she gave.

In memory of Mom, donations can be made to Buchanan Memorial Palliative Care, Neil’s Harbour or St. Peter’s Parish Graveyard Fund, Ingonish. Mom’s legacy was the love she showed for her family, friends and community; in her memory pass it on.

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