Green, Dolores Lucas (nee Gagne)
Dolores Lucas Green (nee Gagne), our beloved Mom, age 82, passed away peacefully in London, Ontario after what seemed like a brief illness Thursday June 28, 2018 with family members at her side.
Dolores was born on May 2, 1936, in Creighton Mine Ontario, the daughter of the late Gordon Desmond and Emma Eva (Johnston) Gagne. She was blessed to have loved twice and was wife to her beloved late husbands Harold Nathaniel Lucas, married 34 years, and Benjamin Dacosta Green, married 25 years. Loving mother of Harold Lucas (Diane) of Lavender Ont., Deborah Lenz (Richard) of London Ont., Dianna Lucas of Victoria BC., Barbara Bonnema of Brights Grove Ont., Melinda Orlando (Dean) of Burlington Ont. and Dolores Lucas Waddilove (Terrence) of London Ont. She was a dear grandmother of 17, plus 15 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, 8 stepchildren, 19 step grandchildren and 3 step great grandchildren. She is lovingly remembered by her sisters Joan Scott (John) and Violet Roy, both of Sudbury, several nieces and nephews. Dolores is predeceased by her son David Lucas, sister, Judy (Gagne) Francis and brothers, James, Denton and Michael Gagne.
Our Mom had a challenging childhood, coming from very humble beginnings and on her own at a very young age. She grew up quickly, developing into an independent, strong willed, ground breaking woman; an interracial marriage at 16 years, 7 children while completing her high school education and driving a school bus for Maki Bus Lines (later Charterways) for almost 30 years, building a house on Richard Lake and becoming a respected Sergeant in the 2nd Irish Regiment in Sudbury Ont. (1969–1991). She was a fashionable, classy woman who touched the lives of many people who knew her. She especially enjoyed her time spent with children. For years, she was a lunchroom monitor at St. David’s Elementary school and a volunteer with mentally challenged children, including bowling night with the Thursday Night Special Needs children. She was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 76 (1971–1972), the Irish Regiment of Canada Veterans Association for about 15 years, until 2018 and many bowling leagues over the years. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting having made many christening gowns over the years, gardening, classic western movies, the Shopping Channel, the casino, especially Bay Mills in Michigan, entertaining family and friends and travelling. She actually liked the snow in Sudbury, was an avid Elvis Presley fan and loved her shoes. Always wanting to travel, our Mom enjoyed travelling in the Caribbean, Scotland and throughout Canada in her latter 30 years.
Our Mom loved life. After living 81 years in Sudbury, she finally took the plunge and moved to London to be closer to her children and their families. The day after she arrived in London, she was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. She fought hard to remain with us, but unfortunately lost the battle. We would like to thank the staff at Victoria Hospital in London for their compassionate care of our mom. A special thank you to ‘Queen’ Elizabeth King from the bottom of our hearts for allowing us to fulfill our mom’s dying wish, in allowing her to be where she wanted to be and to know that she was truly loved when she departed from us. We know in the end, she was at peace. We will remember her wit, her sharp tongue, her laughter, her warmth, her energy, her pride and her love for life, her family and friends.
Cremation has taken place in London. We invite you to join us and celebrate together. A memorial service at the Church of Epiphany, Sudbury, Ontario on July 28 at 1:30 pm will be followed by internment at Park Lawn Cemetery. A celebration of Dolores’ life will take place at Science North, the Ramsay Room and patio at 5:30 pm.
