Obituary for Doris Conley
Reverend Doris Sadie Conley
July 10, 1928 to May 1, 2020
Doris Sadie Conley passed away in the early hours of May 1, 2020 at Brockville General Hospital, leaving this earth to embark on the next phase of her life’s journey.
Born in Malone, New York to Viola Brownell-Sherman and Henry (Hank) Brownell, Doris’ family life was complex and difficult. But with her deep faith in God, her inner spark, along with the support of her music teacher Winnifred Sperry, members of the Standard Church and her guardians Rev. Fred and Bessie Crawford, Doris created an extraordinary life.
Doris attended Brockville Bible College, where she met Rev. Earl Conley (1928-2011), the love of her life and partner for 63 years. They shared a calling to the ministry, a love of travel and a sense of adventure. Together, they were unstoppable. They served in the ministry with the Standard/Wesleyan churches for 64 years, pastoring in Canada and the United States, pioneering missions in Mexico and Ghana, and working tirelessly with missions in Egypt.
Doris loved Egypt with all her heart. She learned to play the accordion and speak Arabic, and her powerful singing voice and personality added greatly to the services there. She and Earl made countless lifelong friends in Egypt and right up until her passing, Doris continued to converse in Arabic with them during visits and phone conversations.
In 1962, Doris and Earl left Egypt to return to Canada. Earl had been appointed General Conference Superintendent of the Standard Church of America (now merged with the Wesleyan Church), a position he held for the next 24 years. During that time, they lived in North Gower and Brockville where Doris worked full-time in an office, while working on their ministry after hours.
In 1991, Doris left her job as executive assistant to the VP, International Sales at Philips Cables and accepted a pastorship at Ottawa’s Highland Park Wesleyan Church (formerly the Standard Church) where she worked with the members to grow the Sunday school and tend to the spiritual needs of the congregation.
Settling again in Brockville after her retirement at the age of 71, Doris was surrounded by friends she had worked with in the private sector and worshipped with at the Centennial Road Church.
Throughout their lives, there was one home base that remained constant for Earl and Doris. It was a little cabin in Morin Heights, Quebec, that Earl purchased at 19 years of age, and lovingly maintained for family times and community gatherings. In their retirement, Doris and Earl ran summer services in Hillside Chapel and made lifelong friends.
As an ordained pastor in the Standard Church herself, and the wife of its General Superintendent, Missions Director, and pastor, Doris mentored and encouraged many people who continue to express their gratitude and appreciation to the present day.
Doris was an exceptional pianist, singer, speaker, writer, cook, baker, mentor, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She had a great sense of humour and enjoyed “clowning around” and making people laugh. She loved to host events to bring people together for fun, food and fellowship.
As with every challenge life dealt her, Doris faced the last many years of surgeries, hospitalizations, physio, and recovery with courage, a sense of humor, a steadfast faith in God, and demonstrated love and caring for those around her.
Doris is survived and greatly missed by her son Henry, daughters Sandra and Mary Lou; grandchildren Virginia and Jesse Wolfe; many nieces and nephews; and friends from around the world.
The family is very thankful for the tremendous care Doris received over the years at the Brockville General Hospital, Kingston General Hospital, Bridlewood Manor, and most recently, the Garden Street Hospice Palliative Care Centre.
Complying with current provincial directives, a small funeral service was held on May 7 with a few friends and family members in attendance. In order to provide friends with an opportunity to grieve her loss and memorialize her during this time of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the family has provided a video link to Rev. Doris Conley’s Memorial Service below. When conditions allow, Doris’ ashes will be buried next to the love of her life Earl in Morin Heights, Quebec.
Those desiring to place a donation in her memory are asked to contribute to the Brockville General Hospital at http://www.bdhfoundation.com/make-a-donation, or to the Wesleyan Church Egyptian missions fund at (www.wesleyan.ca/give) or by phone at (506) 567-1452.
Please take a moment to send a message of condolence, a word of prayer or a special thought of Doris on the Memory Wall above. Thank you.
A Photo Tribute to Doris...
* If using a cell phone, please view in landscape format
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rev. Doris Conley’s Memorial Service video
In light of continued pandemic guidelines for social and physical distancing, the family provides this video link to the private service held for Doris on May 7 in hopes it will help those who wish to grieve and commemorate her life. The service was presided over by Rev. Laurence Croswell and a eulogy and closing prayer was delivered by Rev. Dr. Peter Rigby.
*If using a cell phone, please view in landscape format
July 10, 1928 to May 1, 2020
Doris Sadie Conley passed away in the early hours of May 1, 2020 at Brockville General Hospital, leaving this earth to embark on the next phase of her life’s journey.
Born in Malone, New York to Viola Brownell-Sherman and Henry (Hank) Brownell, Doris’ family life was complex and difficult. But with her deep faith in God, her inner spark, along with the support of her music teacher Winnifred Sperry, members of the Standard Church and her guardians Rev. Fred and Bessie Crawford, Doris created an extraordinary life.
Doris attended Brockville Bible College, where she met Rev. Earl Conley (1928-2011), the love of her life and partner for 63 years. They shared a calling to the ministry, a love of travel and a sense of adventure. Together, they were unstoppable. They served in the ministry with the Standard/Wesleyan churches for 64 years, pastoring in Canada and the United States, pioneering missions in Mexico and Ghana, and working tirelessly with missions in Egypt.
Doris loved Egypt with all her heart. She learned to play the accordion and speak Arabic, and her powerful singing voice and personality added greatly to the services there. She and Earl made countless lifelong friends in Egypt and right up until her passing, Doris continued to converse in Arabic with them during visits and phone conversations.
In 1962, Doris and Earl left Egypt to return to Canada. Earl had been appointed General Conference Superintendent of the Standard Church of America (now merged with the Wesleyan Church), a position he held for the next 24 years. During that time, they lived in North Gower and Brockville where Doris worked full-time in an office, while working on their ministry after hours.
In 1991, Doris left her job as executive assistant to the VP, International Sales at Philips Cables and accepted a pastorship at Ottawa’s Highland Park Wesleyan Church (formerly the Standard Church) where she worked with the members to grow the Sunday school and tend to the spiritual needs of the congregation.
Settling again in Brockville after her retirement at the age of 71, Doris was surrounded by friends she had worked with in the private sector and worshipped with at the Centennial Road Church.
Throughout their lives, there was one home base that remained constant for Earl and Doris. It was a little cabin in Morin Heights, Quebec, that Earl purchased at 19 years of age, and lovingly maintained for family times and community gatherings. In their retirement, Doris and Earl ran summer services in Hillside Chapel and made lifelong friends.
As an ordained pastor in the Standard Church herself, and the wife of its General Superintendent, Missions Director, and pastor, Doris mentored and encouraged many people who continue to express their gratitude and appreciation to the present day.
Doris was an exceptional pianist, singer, speaker, writer, cook, baker, mentor, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She had a great sense of humour and enjoyed “clowning around” and making people laugh. She loved to host events to bring people together for fun, food and fellowship.
As with every challenge life dealt her, Doris faced the last many years of surgeries, hospitalizations, physio, and recovery with courage, a sense of humor, a steadfast faith in God, and demonstrated love and caring for those around her.
Doris is survived and greatly missed by her son Henry, daughters Sandra and Mary Lou; grandchildren Virginia and Jesse Wolfe; many nieces and nephews; and friends from around the world.
The family is very thankful for the tremendous care Doris received over the years at the Brockville General Hospital, Kingston General Hospital, Bridlewood Manor, and most recently, the Garden Street Hospice Palliative Care Centre.
Complying with current provincial directives, a small funeral service was held on May 7 with a few friends and family members in attendance. In order to provide friends with an opportunity to grieve her loss and memorialize her during this time of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the family has provided a video link to Rev. Doris Conley’s Memorial Service below. When conditions allow, Doris’ ashes will be buried next to the love of her life Earl in Morin Heights, Quebec.
Those desiring to place a donation in her memory are asked to contribute to the Brockville General Hospital at http://www.bdhfoundation.com/make-a-donation, or to the Wesleyan Church Egyptian missions fund at (www.wesleyan.ca/give) or by phone at (506) 567-1452.
Please take a moment to send a message of condolence, a word of prayer or a special thought of Doris on the Memory Wall above. Thank you.
A Photo Tribute to Doris...
* If using a cell phone, please view in landscape format
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rev. Doris Conley’s Memorial Service video
In light of continued pandemic guidelines for social and physical distancing, the family provides this video link to the private service held for Doris on May 7 in hopes it will help those who wish to grieve and commemorate her life. The service was presided over by Rev. Laurence Croswell and a eulogy and closing prayer was delivered by Rev. Dr. Peter Rigby.
*If using a cell phone, please view in landscape format