Doreen C. Walker

Surrounded by her loving family, Doreen Catherine Walker, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 25th due to complications from a stroke on Easter Sunday. Nicknamed in early childhood, Doreen was affectionately known as Dodie throughout her life. Dodie was predeceased by her parents Harvey and Florence Kimble, Uncles and Aunts Vincent and Josephine Kimble, Freeman and Sheila Kimbel, Aunt Sister Marie Vincent, and niece Julie Elizabeth Thomas.  She was also predeceased by her in laws Joe and Rita Walker, Jimmy Walker and Bonnie Spear.

Dodie is survived by her husband Michael, three sons Scott, Steven, and Jeffrey, sister Gay Thomas (Mike) and her son Jason Clarence Thomas, sister in law Mary Jo Lightholder (Nils), her cousin Linda Lang (Bill), Mike Spear and many nieces nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Dodie was born August 23, 1946, and was the youngest of Florence and Harvey’s two daughters … just 19 months younger than her sister, Gay. Dodie and Gay spent their childhood together on Spencer Road in East Irondequoit, often dressed alike, with their Mother, an excellent seamstress, making most of their clothes during their childhood and elementary school years.  Dodie grew up in East Irondequoit, graduated from St. James Elementary School, and on a full scholarship, attended St. Agnes Catholic High School, graduating in 1964. She went on to become a Licensed Practical Nurse and married her high school sweetheart, Michael J. Walker. The Walker family moved to Fairport, New York in the early 1970s.  It was there she would spend the rest of her life, enjoying the pleasures of being a homemaker and a Mom and raising her three boys.   Dodie began working at the Shire Nursing Home while the boys were young, balancing the demands of her work schedule with the joy of spending time with her boys.  For many years, Dodie worked the night shift so she could be at home during the day with her children.  She loved attending the boys’ sporting events and entertaining them at home, becoming Mom to many of their friends.  She also loved spending time with her patients at the Shire and valued the contribution she made in their lives.  

Her sister, Gay married Mike Thomas and had two children, Jason and Julie, with Jason a few years younger than Jeffrey and Julie the youngest of the five cousins.  Dodie and Gay remained close, sharing holidays and birthdays with their young families, enjoying summer days at Honeoye Lake or the Thomas pool. After Gay moved to Dallas in 1984, Dodie became the primary caregiver to their Mother, Florence, as she aged and spent her final days at St. Ann’s Nursing Home.  Dodie retired after 25 years at the Shire, happy to be once again spending her days at the home she loved in Fairport. 

Her bright blue eyes and sweet disposition will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

A forthcoming ceremony will be planned to celebrate Dodie’s life.  

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