Doris Anne Salmon

Born July 9, 1925, in Kitchener, Ontario, Doris Anne (Weinheimer) Salmon was the third of seven children born to Jacob Weinheimer and Wilhelmina Boos. Doris spent her early years in Southern Alberta and Calgary. Her childhood years were spent on the family farm where she developed a lifelong love of horses, gardening and sports. Growing up on a farm she developed a strong work ethic and love for the outdoors. After graduating from Raymond High School, she worked in the shipyards in Victoria, British Columbia working as a riveter where she was a favourite member of the team because she could catch white hot rivets with accuracy and without fear. Doris also worked as a chamber maid at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton, Alberta earning money for university, but the real draw was being close to the outdoors where she could spend her days off hiking the Bear’s Hump and spending time outdoors. She attended the University of Calgary and then the University of Alberta to obtain her teaching degree. While attending the U of A she met and dated Jay Dahl Salmon, whom she would later go on to marry. Doris transferred to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah to attain a degree in Physical Education since that degree was not available in Canada to women at the time. During this time, she also taught at the high school in Magrath, Alberta to the disapproval of many of her Raymond school friends. In 1950 she graduated from Brigham Young University with a composite degree in French and Physical Education. She returned to Magrath to continue teaching.

Doris married her sweetheart, Jay, on July 18, 1951, in the Cardston, Alberta LDS Temple.

Doris and Jay lived in Edmonton, Alberta while Jay completed his law degree and year of articling. Doris took in boarders and continued to teach while waiting to start their family. They moved to Calgary in 1955. While continuing to add to their family and raise their eight children Doris was heavily involved in the Scouting program. She was a cub Akela for over thirty years and saw many young men pass through the program. She served in many other capacities in her church – the scouting program, as a Relief Society President and in the Young Women’s organization. Doris particularly enjoyed young women’s camp where she had the opportunity to hike, canoe and swim. She combined her love of service and athleticism by organizing and running an early morning basketball program for children ages 3 to 12, known to many as Bitty Ball. After practice she would make platskis (fried bread with Rogers Golden syrup) for Saturday brunch which for her grandchildren hold many fond memories. Doris loved sports and continued to play basketball until, at the age of 71, her doctor advised her that perhaps she might risk a serious injury if she didn’t hang up her runners.

In 1967 Doris and Jay moved to an acreage just west of Calgary where Doris was able to enjoy riding her beloved horse, Coco, and working in a large garden. It was a wonderful place to raise her family with plenty to do to teach the children how to work. Numerous fond memories were made there. Many summers she would pack the whole family up and go camping or traveling to see extended family, not a small undertaking with eight children. When camping in the Okanogan boxes of fruit would be crammed in for the return trip so Doris could bottle cherries, peaches and pears for the coming winter season. Doris had an artistic eye and was an accomplished seamstress and painter. She loved making clothing and spent many hours turning out beautiful pieces. She raised her family on good homemade meals and was known for her delicious bread and rolls.

Doris and Jay liked to travel and spent time visiting many places in Canada and the United States, driving up to Alaska and later taking a cruise there. Doris was able to travel to Germany, where her parents were from, as well as the Holy Land, Egypt, Hawaii and Ecuador.

Her greatest joy and love were Jay and their eight children. In her later years she took pride in her posterity including 41 grandchildren and 140 great grandchildren. If there was news to share regarding the family Doris was the conduit. She loved attending their sports activities, recitals and other special occasions. She eagerly awaited the arrival of each new grandchild and great grandchild and often said, if she could, she would have had an even larger family. She is a continued example of faith, love and charity to her family.

Doris peacefully passed from this life on Monday, November 1, 2021 at the age of 96. She is survived by her younger brother and wife, Gerald (Jan) Weinheimer of American Fork, Utah. She is lovingly missed by her 8 children, David (Linda) Salmon, Ross (Karen) Salmon, Bruce (Lori) Salmon, Mark (Loraine) Salmon, Diane (Konrad) Lee, Carol Salmon, Laurel (Nicolas) Ruiz and Linda (Chris) Blaszczyk; along with 41 grandchildren and 140 great grandchildren.

The family would like to acknowledge with grateful thanks those who have cared for Doris, especially after the passing of her husband, while she lived at St. Marguerite Manor. Their tenderness, loving concern and friendship are much appreciated.

A viewing will be held for Doris at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Panorama Chapel (155 Panamount Blvd. NW, Calgary) on Thursday, November 11, 2021, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. A Funeral Service will be held for Doris at the same location Friday, November 12, 2021, at 10:00 am preceded by a viewing held from 9:00 – 9:45 am. You can be a part of Doris’ service through a live ZOOM link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83731303814

The Graveside Service will be held at Temple Cemetery (Raymond, Alberta) on Friday, November 12, 2021, at 3:00 pm.