Doris Elaine was born on January 11, 1950 in Constantine, Michigan to parents Vernon and Waneta (Prolo) Fifer. She joined older sisters Bernice (1939) and Jean (1941). Sadly, Jean died young, in 1953, at the age of 12. A couple of years later when Doris was 5, she and her family moved to Sturgis, Michigan. Here she enjoyed her childhood while attending both public and high school. It was during these years that Doris was first introduced to music by her father. He loved rhythms, and soon began passing his knowledge and talents onto his daughters. Doris soon took up playing the piano and accordion and continue to perfect these talents throughout her entire life.
In November of 1969, Paul Fredette was working at a power plant in Lima, Ohio and on his way home to Quebec. His English was poor at best, but he still decided to take in a dance in Sturgis, Michigan. As fate would have it, he was introduced to Doris that evening, and as they say, the rest is history. The young couple were married on November 27, 1970 in Hamilton at a small, quiet wedding. They settled in the city as Paul was working there and before long welcomed their son, Eric in 1972. Eric was Doris’ pride and joy and she worked tirelessly to care and provide for him. Paul’s work took the Fredettes to Tiverton in 1974, before finally settling in Port Elgin in 1977, where they called Ashwell Crescent home. This would remain Doris’ home for the next forty years.
As Eric got older, Doris began to work outside of the home, cleaning houses. In time, she moved on to H & R Block in Port Elgin where she remained for a number of years. Doris’ true calling, however, didn’t come until later in life when she went back to school to become a personal support worker. Upon graduation, she took a job with ParaMed where she supported individuals in the comfort of their own homes. In 2001, Paul was diagnosed with Leukemia. Doris used her training to help support and care for her husband through his illness, however, her love and support was not enough as Paul died on November 4, 2002. In 2006, Doris formally retired.
Doris’ faith was ever-present throughout her life, and she resorted to her faith for comfort and support after Paul’s death. When the Fredettes first settled in Port Elgin they began attending the Baptist church in town before finding their perfect fit at Immanuel Evangelical Missionary Church in Paisley. Doris was active in the church throughout her life and was always there to help. She volunteered her time by assisting with a variety of projects. In recent years, her gift of music and singing was ever-present, always putting other’s interests before her own.
In September of 2006, Bryan Webb, a family friend, and fellow parishioner introduced Doris to William “Bill” Lloyd Hall. Bill resided in the Stouffville area and knew the Webb family through their work at Camp Mishewah. It was love at first sight, as the two dated for a mere two months before being married in Stouffville, by Rev. Lou Geense, on December 27, 2006. The newlyweds returned to Port Elgin, calling it home. In 2017, Doris and Bill decided to downsize and moved to Southampton.
In her free time, Doris loved to entertain friends and family. She was a fabulous cook and made the best honey garlic spare ribs, Eric’s favourite dish. Doris enjoyed travelling back home to Michigan and catching up with her high school girlfriends whenever possible. She was a devout Republican and wasn’t afraid to talk politics with anyone. In fact, it was only in recent years that Doris became a Canadian Citizen, so her ties to the US, and home, were ever-present throughout her life.
When time allowed for it she enjoyed reading, often picking up a spiritual or devotional book. When it came to TV, Little House on the Prairie, anything with Lucy Ball, the JAG series, Fraser or NCIS were her favourites. She loved cats and was kept company for a number of years by her beloved feline friends, Andy and Callie. Doris was also a long-time collector of Precious Moments figurines.
One of Doris’ many talents was singing. Doris, Bill and Eldon McDowell on the fiddle made up the group, “The Country Trio” in recent years. In addition to singing Doris continued to play the piano, accordion and also learned to play the bass guitar. She truly was a gifted vocalist and musician. The trio enjoyed performing at many of the local retirement homes and entertained residents with both gospel music as well as some of their older favourites. This love of music led them to produce three CD’s in recent years. Bill and Doris also shared their talents at church, often performing for members of their congregation in Paisley. Doris’ musical gifts will be missed by many.
Doris was a kind loving woman, who cared deeply for those around her. She was generous with her time and her gifts. In addition to being smart and ambitious, Doris was very patient and had a gentle spirit.
Unfortunately, Doris’ health began to fail in late 2018. Last year she had major surgery to try and improve the quality of her life, however, her condition continued to fail in recent months. Sadly, Doris passed away at Grey Bruce Health Services, Southampton on Sunday, February 9, 2020 in her 71st year.
Beloved wife of Bill Hall. Loving mother of Eric Fredette of Guelph and grandmother of Marc Fredette and Eden Wright. Doris will be dearly missed by her sister Bernice (Rev. Carl) Dauber of Paw Paw, Michigan and her children Mark, Lisa and Loreen. She will be fondly remembered by Bill’s daughters and their families; Gloria (Scott) Paisley of Stouffville and their children David (Karly) and Emily; Gale (Ray) Tait of Woodville and their son Griffin. Doris will be dearly missed by the entire Fredette and Hall families as well as many close friends. She was predeceased by her first husband Paul Fredette (2002), sister Jean and her parents Vernon and Waneta Fifer.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, Doris’ celebration of life has been cancelled. A private family inurnment will take place at Sanctuary Park Cemetery, Port Elgin.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Paisley Missionary Church would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
