Reta (Doris) Kirkbride (nee Poirier) passed away peacefully at Afton Park Place in Sarnia on Thursday April 2, 2026, at the age of 94 Doris was born in Cornwall Ontario on March 20^th, 1932, daughter of the late Albert and Evelyn Poirier (nee Leroux).

Doris is survived by her five children, Lynda (Gary) Pettit, Adele (Des) Morrow, Valerie Hickey, Carol (late John) MacMillan and Walter (Tammy) Hickey. Crazy Grandma Doris is also survived by fifteen grandchildren Mark Pettit, Stephen Pettit, Michael (Jen) Levack, David (Nicole) Levack, Kate (Andray) Alexander, Stephanie MacMillan, Courtney MacMillan, Viki Rillett-Barons Jordan Rilett, Megan Frawley, Kendra Rilett, Jacob Rilett, Joel Rilett, Taylor Rilett, Austin Thompson, 16 Great Grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. Doris is predeceased by her husband – Doug Kirkbride in 2025 and the father of her children Walter Hickey in 2015, by sisters Beatrice (Buzzy) Taillon, Gloria (Ray) Robidoux, Bertha (Rob) Moyneur and brother Albert (Claudette) Poirier.

Doris was raised in Cornwall and moved to Sarnia with her new husband, Walter Hickey, in 1949. Her early adulthood was busy with children and homemaking. She was a “spirited” mother and laughter was abundant in the home. When the children got older, she went to work at the Drawbridge Inn, Wolfgang’s Jewellers then on to a career at Walter’s jewelry stores in numerous cities in Ontario. The “wanderlust” never abated when she returned to Sarnia in 1995 where she moved homes annually. Doris married Doug in 2007, and they moved nine times before her final move to Afton Park Place. The family would like to thank the staff at Afton Park Place for providing her comfort and care.

A celebration of life will be held this summer. Doris was a loving and caring person who lived her life unapologetically. In leu of flowers donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Hospice, Sarnia On http://www.stjosephshospice.ca

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