Obituary of Doris Lorraine Hobson

Doris went peacefully to be with her Lord and Saviour on April 12th after a brief illness.  She was surrounded by her husband and children, and by the love and prayers of countless friends and fellow believers.

Doris is survived by Roy, her loving husband of 48 years, her three children Colleen (Jamie) Higgs (Kayleigh, Kate, Garrett, Luke, Hunter); Andrew (Lori) Hobson (Jonathan, Julie); and Sharon (Paul) Houle (Ophelia, Isabelle). Doris is also survived by her brother Stephen and sisters Jane, Diane, and Sandra, and their families.  She was predeceased by older brothers Donnie and David and her parents Donald and Doris Ring.

She faced disability and pain growing up on the West Side and throughout her life.  Despite this, she persisted as an athlete, excelling at basketball and badminton. She remained a competitor in other games when she could no longer do athletics. She was a valued worker at the National Harbours Board, Maritime Beverages and Irving Oil before heart problems forced early retirement.

But that did not stop her. Led by her experience and love of Jesus, Doris lived out God’s love by working tirelessly to provide opportunities and assist others. Her natural vocation was developing "Human Resources for God's Kingdom". She intentionally made friends. She enabled many kids to attend summer camp. She never stopped enjoying life or working to be a blessing; helping the poor, the needy, the sick, refugees and newcomers, those ignored and lonely, along with her family of course. She truly sympathized with working poor, always trying to help them. Doris drew people in by her example; being a friend, assisting those in need, mentoring and supporting students, sometimes even matchmaking!

Her home was a place of unconditional love for her children and their friends. In recent years Doris and Roy passionately worked in the Caring Closet ministry at Hillcrest Church. Her mission field was based in West Saint John but stretched from St. Stephen to Miramichi.

Visitation will happen Friday, April 29th, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm, and a Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 30th at 11:00 am, to be followed by a short reception.  Please wear a mask as per Doris’s request. These will take place at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 476 Lancaster Ave, Saint John. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook at Hillcrest Saint John and available on YouTube at HillcrestSJ. Gifts in Doris's memory may be made to Hillcrest Memorial Fund, to enable her church to continue serving the West Side.                https://hillcrestsj.ca        506-635-8000

Doris’ family extends sincere thanks to the staff of NB Extra-Mural and Bobby’s Hospice for taking very good care of Mom and keeping her comfortable through her last days. You provided a large measure of peace through a troubled time. Thank you all and may God bless you.