Daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, mentor, co-worker, and friend for many. It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Doreen Marie Kilfoil (DeCoste) following a courageous battle with ovarian cancer on April 1, 2022. Her final days were spent peacefully at home surrounded by her family. Doreen was 52.
Beloved by her husband Kevin, her children Christine and Ryan, her parents Arnold and Mary, brother Leo (Joan) and nephews Aaron and Zachary. Also cherished by Kevin’s family, including Peggy, David, Kati, Michael, Eileen, Jack and Katherine, and by so many dear friends. We are all both deeply saddened by her loss and incredibly grateful to have shared her life.
An avid cyclist, runner, curler, and adventurer, Doreen was loved by all who knew her. She preferred outdoors to indoors, and trails to roads, finding strength and comfort in nature. As an ardent gardener, Doreen took pride in creating beautiful outdoor spaces at her home for all to relax and enjoy. She was the centre around which we gathered, always welcoming and warmly including friends and strangers alike.
A proud Nova Scotian, Doreen and Kevin were married at Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1995, and moved to Ontario to pursue their careers. They lived in Cornwall where they started their family, before settling in Milton in 2008. Doreen was heavily involved with the Milton Curling Club, providing leadership to the youth program for a number of years.
She took up running, completing marathons and an ultra marathon. Among other outdoor pastimes, mountain biking became her passion, and she built a huge network of friends who were happy to chase around the trails with her, always safe in the knowledge that her unerring sense of direction and fully equipped backpack would bring them home safely.
The family received her friends on Saturday, April 9 at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street South, Bolton, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service in the chapel at 12:30 p.m.
A second visitation will be held in C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish, on Tuesday, April 19th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Private burial will follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Havre Boucher, Nova Scotia, alongside her mother Mary (Pettipas) DeCoste.
In lieu of flowers, her family asks that a donation be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Linda Kinzie
Kevin, Christine, Ryan and the rest of the family. I am deeply saddened by the loss of such an amazing woman. Doreen was a fair and kind boss to me in the Sensient Flavors days, and it developed into a charished friendship. She was one of the most generous, smart, caring, and nurturing individuals I have had the pleasure to know. Although I was not as adventurous as her, I enjoyed her company during hikes, snowshoeing, shopping, and visiting at her home. (I liked to make fun of Chilly’s hilarious lion cut). Doreen was not a fan of amusement rides, so I tagged along to Wonderland a few times to ride with Kevin and the kids. She will be greatly missed by everyone she touched. I will miss our chats and her gentle advice and emapthy. Big hugs.
Diane MacRae
So sorry to hear of Doreen’s passing, a great friend in our university years.
Deepest condolences to Kevin and family.
Nancy Rowland
My condolences to Doreen’s family during this incredibly sad time. She was a good and true friend to many. Her inclusivity towards others was admirable and I adored her kindness towards everyone. I looked up to her for her dedication to improve herself and to lead others to improve themselves in many sports. Doreen was a leader to others throughout her life through her sports, adventures and through her example in daily life. I am thankful that she was my friend; even if I wish it could have been for longer.
Cynthia Percival
Dear Doreen was a courageous lady with a sweet sense of humor. We all loved her zest for life & strength to keep going in spite of incredible challenges. I was always inspired by Doreen’s kindness & friendly disposition. Her memory will live on. I feel blessed to have known Doreen.
Frances Vanover
So very sad to hear of this great loss after such a valiant effort to get ahead of this disease. I knew Doreen for only a short time on the grand scale of her amazing life, and she has left an indelible mark on my memory that will be with me always. My sincere sympathies to Doreen’s family at this sad time.
Nicola Richer
My heart reaches out today for Kevin, Christine and Ryan, I am so saddened by the loss of a dear wife and mother.
Doreen was my mentor, she taught me well at Sensient and I cannot tell you how many times over my career I have thought and expressed to others that “ her and that company taught me well!!”. I will always hold her and her mentorship very close to my heart.
This spring, in memory of Doreen I will be taking many moments in one of my flower beds that is packed with day lilies that we dug up from her home in Cornwall 18 years ago, to reflect on the wonderful, strong and devoted person that she was.
Doreen has joined the angels in heaven, quilting, crafting, gardening, curling and doing the many more outdoor activities that she loved. She will be looking over her family and loved ones with pride and love.
Rest In Peace my dear ❤️❤️❤️
Patrick Peterson
Doreen and I went to high school together. She was a true friend of mine back then . The kind who you could tell secrets to and she would keep them forever. She has been on my mind a lot these past few years and after 35 years, I started a journey to find out how she was doing, which led me to hearing about her very recent passing – which I’m saddened to learn.
To her family and friends, my heart aches for you as you grieve, while also remembering the amazing, courageous and determined young woman Doreen was and will always remain. I take much solace in knowing how much she loved life and how much she was loved.
Bernadette Matasaran
I am deeply saddened to hear of Doreen’s passing. My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.
I am so thankful to have met Doreen and shared a time in her life. With Doreen and her adventurous spirit, many new and wonderful trail adventures were experienced, running and hiking amongst the trees. Most memorable was the time in Dundas Valley and our first ever Sulphur Springs Trail race. I will forever cherish the wonderful memories! May she rest in peace.
Inah
My teal sister…. my heart is broken knowing that you passed away. We were just chatting last week about my reoccurence. You’ve been one of my greatest support! Thank you for all the memories! Rest in Paradise, Doreen. We love you my teal sister.
Steve Hatt
Doreen was such a beautiful person. One of my best friends at Dal. ❤️
Mike and Dianne Paquette
Kevin, Christine and Ryan. We are so sorry to hear of Doreen’s passing. She was always such a positive person. Her energy and creativity were enviable. Our condolences to you.
Monica Galway
My heart aches for Kevin Christine and Ryan, I did not have the pleasure of meeting Doreen but she welcomed my daughter into their family with open arms and for that I will be forever great-full.
May she fly highly with the angels and rest in a beautiful paradise. Love to all of you.
Alana & Joe Tiernay
We are saddened to hear of Doreen’s passing this week.
Our deepest sympathies are with Christine, Ryan and Kevin we are so sorry for your loss.
We knew Doreen through the Milton Curling Club and had many chuckles with her throughout the years. She was a good soul! Always there if you needed anything. She will be missed!
Theresa Fougere
My deepest condolences to Kevin and children and to Doreen’s Dad Arnold and brother Leo on the passing of their special angel. I so remember Doreen growing up as a child and neighbor in Havre Boucher, NS. Sweet young lady. May she rest in peace. Theresa Fougere, NS
Monique and Jean Beriault
I am so sorry to hear of Doreen’s passing. My heartfelt condolences to you Kevin, the children and your family. Monique Beriault Cornwall.
Laurie White Carr
Sending our condolences to all the family.
Bernice MacDonald
My sincere condolences to her father, Arnold and all her family.
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Rose Marie Landry
Dearest, Kevin, Christine,Ryan,Arnold and Leo. Please except our deepest sympathy and condolence on Doreen’s passing. We are thinking of you. Sylvester and RoseMarie.
Lisa Egle
I met Doreen only a few short years ago through a mutual friend who said “you have to meet my friend Doreen she likes to mountain bike too”. Well that was an understatement! Doreen lived to bike and be in the woods in some capacity. As many of her friends know she had an amazing way of getting you to try new things. She is the one who got me out for the first time on a fat bike in the dead of winter! I am now the owner of one . I told Doreen I will always think of her when I ride my fat bike. A fitting reminder of the amazing woman she was an inspiration in so many ways. Till we ride again Doreen …I will miss you.
Joe White
Sincere sympathy on your tremendous loss! We shared a driveway/property together in Havre Boucher in the 70’s and occasionally my mom would babysit Doreen! She was a sweet gal & we watched her grow up & enter high school…I’m sure she got her love for the outside from both sets of grandparents who loved the land, apple trees & had a fine flower bed from the road to the front door … may she reap her eternal reward & rest easy in the arms of those who have gone before her, God love her, forever young! Joe White
Darren Haley
Arnold,
So sorry for the loss of your daughter. Taken away from us way to soon. She was such a great easy going person growing up with all of us in the village and the many friends she made.
Darren Haley
Robert Johnston
Very sorry to hear of Doreen’s passing . Our thoughts and prayers are with you all . Robert and Tracey Johnston
Joe and Joan Johnston
Dear Kevin and Kilfoil family
We are so very sorry to learn of Doreen’s death. Our hearts are with you at this very difficult time.
Love and hugs sent to you all
Joe and Joan Johnston
Joe and Joan Johnston
To Doreen’s parents, brother and family
Our sincere sympathy on your tremendous loss.
Joe and Joan Johnston
Joe is Kevin’s first cousin
Wilma Jenkins
Kevin, Christine & Ryan… we send our condolences to all of you … and the NS Kilfoils who also thought so much of Doreen… she fought a courageous fight agains this terrible disease, unfortunately it won. Thinking of all of you at this time.
Wilma & Lowell Jenkins
April Pettipas
So sorry for your loss. I lived next door to Doreen for a few years when she was a sweet little girl. I watched her grow into a sweet teenager. My deepest sympathy to Arnold and the rest of her family. RIP
April (Williams) Pettipas
Yvonne Sampson
To all of Doreen’s family. I was so shocked to hear that Doreen had passed on. I did not know that she was ill. I am from Havre Boucher just a few houses down the road from where she grew up. Sending our sincere condolences to all of you. May she rest in peace, she soars with the angels now.
Yvonne & Leonard Sampson
Charlene Pettipas
My childhood best friend. Doreen and I were best friends as soon as we started grade primary and carried that close friendship many years. We had a routine of staying at her house Friday night and my house Saturday night. Although we lost touch in our young adult life we reconnected a cpl yrs ago and had our last conversation just a few short weeks ago. So many cherished memories that I’m fortunate to carry with me.
My deepest condolences to Kevin, Christine & Ryan. Rest easy Doreen ❤️
Sharon Howell
My deepest condolences to the family as they grieve the lost of a wonderful woman. I think about the places I’ve been, the things I’ve done and the adventures she so graciously invited me on and I know I wouldn’t be the person I am today without her friendship. I will miss her. She has had such an incredible impact on so many lives.
Diane & Brian Melong
Our condoleences to Dorren’s father and family. Sorry for you loss.
Mark Hotrum
When I asked Doreen to join my curling team I had some inkling that she was force I needed to bring my team forward. WoW this woman has a habit of making everyone she meets a better person in life and sports. The actual life force that she has packed into that body makes everyone around her better. You can see this in her Daughter Christine which has spared for mom many times on my team I knew Doreen was always there and this pushed Team Hotrum to a place I could never had imagined. My thoughts and love are with her forever. ❤️
Heather Gillis
A fellow ovarian cancer warrior, I met Doreen on an online OC forum and we became virtual friends. I so enjoyed chatting with her and knew she understood what I was going through. She was very supportive and encouraging to me, even as she fought her own battle.
I’m grateful and blessed for having known her and I extend my deepest sympathies to her family.
Barbara j Chiasson
To the husband Kevin ,Doreens’s, father Arnold and other family members .My condolences go out to you all at this time.
Jim Leamen
Doreen you were a dear friend, colleague, boss and mentor. My thanks for everything. It is a pleasure and an honour to call you a friend. RIP
Lou & Dianne Kupczyk
Our condolences to Kevin, and Arnold. We remember well their visits when we lived in Cornwall. We have some beautiful Easter ornaments made and painted by Doreen which we take out each spring and always remember her. May she now soar with the angels above.
Manon Litalien
My condolences to Kevin, the kids and family. Sorry for the lost, RIP.
Manon Litalien, Cornwall
David and Mary Winkenweder
Kevin, we’re so sorry to hear the sad news about Doreen’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences to you, Christine and Ryan, and to Doreen’s family.
Susan Subryan
Doreen was such a positive and supportive person and always willing to assist her colleagues at IMCD. She will be dearly missed. My sincerest condolences to her family at this most difficult time. Rest in Peace dear Doreen. Susan Subryan
Halina Ratulowski
My deepest sympathy to Kevin, Christine and Ryan in having to travel this difficult journey without Doreen’s bright light beside you.
Doreen was a colleague, mentor and friend with whom I often found that we were on the same page in thoughts and deeds. She embraced every new challenge with full gusto whether it was getting ready for a work audit, working on import maps, or tackling that new bike trail, or dealing with her diagnosis. She was an inspiration to all with her optimism even with the cards life dealt her. I will forever be grateful for our connection to Disney, our time spent on the Cutting Machine, or walks in Heart Lake and will cherish your love for Mr. Bingley. I have learned that when we lose someone we love, its not just the loss of them no longer being here with us, but the loss of all the futures we had had hoped to have together. in the words of Winnie the Pooh… “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”. May your heavenly bike have all the bells and whistles you have always dreamed off!
The Joneses
This time of year, seven years ago, we dropped into the mysterious building beside the Milton Brewers Retail, mainly because we saw a vehicle parked out front and thought the door might be unlocked. It was. My 10 yr old son and I knocked, and to our relief, a woman came to the door and said hello with a smile. We didn’t know anything about the sport of curling or about the club. She was just packing things up and going to be leaving, but said she’d be happy to show us inside. For every answer she provided, we had 3 more questions, yet, 20 minutes later, she was still patient and had us totally engaged. Most impressively, she spoke to and looked directly at my son when she felt he had a question or concern. She suggested we come back when the club reopened in the fall. This inspiring woman was Doreen. What a wonderful ambassador for the club and for the sport of curling! Well… that fall, my son didn’t last 5 minutes on the ice. He came off crying and wanting out. I asked if he’d stay if I joined and was also willing to try the sport . That really didn’t entice him much. Doreen came off the ice (from coaching dozens of other kids with her coaching partner, with the help of a few parent volunteers), consoled and talked to him for quite some time, and to my amazement, she had him willing to give it another go. FF six months, and he is proudly receiving a season end, certificate of recognition from Doreen. FF two years, and she’s recognizing some potential and sharing many tips on how to progress and network into the world of competitive curling. FF seven years, and my son is returning from Kingston where the Provincials were being held. His team had just advanced to Nationals and we wanted to let Doreen know that without her welcoming, engaging, inspiring and consoling him years beforehand, he’d never have known the sport at all, and would have moved on to another past time. His accomplishment, is Doreen’s accomplishment, and just one of many, in sport, in recreation, in crafting, in gardening, in nurturing, in living life to the fullest. It was devastating for our family to learn of her passing. Kevin, Chris, Ryan, extended family and friends, we are so deeply sorry for your loss. Hard to make sense of this world, but what a wonderful one. What a wonderful woman. Thank you, Doreen. We find comfort knowing you are now free of any pain or discomfort, and now resting in peace. With much love, Jim, Michelle and Harry (fellow lefty)
Margaret Law, fellow cyclist
Kevin, Christine and Ryan,
Our heartfelt condolences go out to you. Doreen was an amazing woman. As many can attest, she has inspired us to live each day to the fullest. Doreen oozed joy when we were out in the forest and on our bikes. I always felt happier after spending a couple hours with her.
Tim Chisholm
Sorry to hear of Doreen’s passing. Condolences to everyone in her family.
Tracy Moffat
My deepest condolences to Doreen’s family. I worked with L.V. Lomas on a few projects, she was always smiling and supportive and mentioned her family often which was always so touching.
Pearl Quan
I was sadden to hear about Doreen’s passing. I had met her through curling. She was always my contact at the Milton Curling Club especially through the Little Rocks/Bantam bonspiels. We also had some conversations about her running because I also did marathons and I believe she had wanted to try the Dopey at Disney World (which I had done).
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.