HUMBECK, Doreen Van Humbeck

Passed away at home in Paris, Ontario on September 28, 2025, at the age of 79.
Doreen is survived by her children Donna Dobbin (Scott), Diane Iovanov (Dusco) and Patrick Dobbin (Julie), as well as her sister Judy Warford (Wayne). She was the beloved grandmother of Nicolle Iovanov, Blake Iovanov, Connor Dobbin, Liam Dobbin, Megan Dobbin-Burenko (Danyl) and Alisha Mills (Chandler).
She was predeceased by her husband Fred Van Humbeck, and also by her parents Victor and Marie Hammond (Blackmore), and her brothers and sisters John Hammond (Joan), Marjorie Noseworthy (Bill), Marion Mercier (Paul), and Lorne Hammond (Aina).
Born on April 5, 1946, on Bell Island in Newfoundland, Doreen attended Nursing Assistant School at St. John’s General Hospital, with her life-long friends “the General Girls”, including her best friend, Marge Swain. After moving to Ontario, Doreen raised her three children in Cambridge as a single mom. She worked for several industries before starting a career as group home caregiver and councillor. Doreen also worked as a waitress at Zellers post-retirement to stay busy.
Doreen moved around Newfoundland and southern Ontario, living in Bell Island, St. John’s, St. Joseph’s, Brampton, Cambridge, Puslinch, Bancroft, Simcoe, Wallaceburg, and then Simcoe and Cambridge again, making life-long friends along the way, including Theresa (in St. Joseph’s) and Milka (in Simcoe). Her final home was in Paris living with Pat, Julie and her beloved dog Connie. Doreen enjoyed shopping trips to the States with Fred, Patrick and Julie, and loved spending winters in Florida with Fred at their trailer. She and her sister Judy also loved visiting her daughter Donna in St. John’s. She treasured going on long lunches with Diane, talking about their shared love of gardening.
An amazing cook, Doreen loved nothing better than family get-togethers, serving a full Jiggs dinner which could feed 50. On her shopping trips, she would buy everyone way too many Christmas gifts, then show off her incredible aim throwing them across the room at people’s heads. She had an indominable spirit and a questionable accent.
Finally, Doreen would like you all to remember to “kiss foot”.
A celebration of life will be held next spring. In lieu of flowers, donations to Breast Cancer Canada, or Community Living Cambridge would be much appreciated.