December, 2021
Walk of Faith Doreen Acton
D
oreen sees the beauty of life through the multiple experiences she has lived. The gorgeous paintings she has displayed on the walls in her home shows her talent as an artist through her watercolors, oils and acrylic works. Her daily walks keep her healthy physically and her spiritual walk with the Lord keeps her grounded. As a little girl, Doreen’s first memory is of her grandparents who had an impact on her life. She recalls being dressed in a double-breasted red jacket picking blueberries with them and riding with them in a boat off the coast of Newfoundland where she grew up. Family meant and still does mean everything to Doreen. As a middle child with several siblings, Doreen’s mother was the rock of their family because her father was often out to sea. She instilled Christian values in the lives of all her children. Doreen was a shy “corner girl” who took piano lessons but wondered how long she would have to keep
taking them. She regrets that her mother allowed her to quit. She also went to Sunday School, belonged to the choir and a group called CGIT (Canadian Girls in Training). Doreen also cared for her siblings and her mother called her “little rock” because she was so dependable. Vacations were with relatives and extended families; picnics and fond memories. When Doreen entered university, it changed her life and altered her beliefs. She originally had hopes of becoming a doctor and she was accepted to Med School; however, she ended up working as a technologist for AHS for 35 years looking through microscopes screening for cancer, researching, teaching and mentoring others. She has since retired and is happily married. They love their little dog, Murphy and he keeps them fit. Doreen takes time to do her crafts, curl and line-dance. The couple also started a Christian hiking group that met every Saturday. They aren’t climbing as many mountains, but Doreen is accepting each season of her life and knows there is a time for
Seniors — Winter 2021
everything. The couple have traveled to Japan, gone on cruises, been to Great Britain, but have led a quieter life since the pandemic. Doreen advises others not to be fearful. She compares it to driving. When you get in your car, you can control and maintain your vehicle, but you can’t with other drivers; however, you know there are risks, but you don’t quit driving. Her advice to parents is to let their children experience struggles and continue praying for them. Doreen believes that without God, we are powerless. She continues to be a mentor to others because of what encounters she struggled through. She feels very blessed to live where she does and even though she may have been a bit rebellious in her previous years, she is thankful for her hardships that built her character and people’s prayers to bring her where she is today. In Doreen’s 75 years, she knows the power of prayer and she walks her faith daily.
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