Obituary of Doris Elizabeth Tosh

The family of Doris Elizabeth Tosh are very saddened to announce the peaceful passing of our dear mother, grandmother, sister and friend on August 12^th, 2025 at Shannex Frederick Hall in Fredericton, NB. 

Mom was born on June 23^rd, 1936 in Walsall, Staffordshire, England to Gerald and Doris Starkey.  She was the second youngest of 4 girls.  During the war her mom worked as a Head Nurse. Her father, who also worked as a nurse, contracted TB and was placed in a sanitarium.  Sadly, Gerald passed away at age 39 years of age in April of 1945.  Our Mom and grandmother would tell us many stories of the war and all they endured during this terrible period in England.  

In the summer of 1945, the three older girls were put in a large but very nice orphanage (200 girls) so her mother could continue her vital nursing work.  In 1946, Doris found a way to bring her daughters back together- by marrying her late husband’s brother, Tom, a trapper in Northern Alberta (having only met him once…. talk about speed dating!). In the summer of 1947, Doris and her four girls set out on their adventure to Canada abord the ship Aquitania, which was full of Canadian and US soldiers returning from the war.  They docked at Pier 21 in Halifax, then they made their way across Canada by train (can you imagine!).  After many weeks of travel, they finally arrived in Debolt, Alberta - literally in the middle of nowhere.  They were all ready to go back to England, where there was running water and indoor bathrooms!  But they persevered, and Mom graduated from Grande Prairie High School in 1954 before joining the Air Force. 

Her first posting was St. Hubert, Quebec, where she met her future husband Tom Tosh, who was in the military.  They married in January of 1956 and began another lifelong adventure. In 1957, their first daughter, Donna, was born in Truro, NS. They then moved to Fredericton, where Kathy was born in 1958, and finally to Germany where Terry was born in 1961.  Dad’s last posting after Winnipeg was Base Gagetown, where they settled and became active members of the Oromocto community for more than 40 years.  Mom worked for the Department of National Defence in the Human Services Branch for over 22 years.  She was an avid golfer and curler in Oromocto at Gage, loved to play bridge, paint, read, knit, and host the infamous lawn dart and pool parties at 562 Scoullar Street!  Mom had a beautiful voice, loved music and  loved to sing.  Mom and dad both retired at the same time so they could go to Saddlebag, Florida for the winter which they did for 20 fun years.  They knew how to have a good time!

In 2012, Mom and Dad moved into Governor Hall (Shannex) and shortly after, dad passed away.  Mom made many new friends and took part in many activities, including the Knitters Club, Bridge Club, and Writing Club.  She enjoyed Happy Hour every Friday with the “Golden Girls”- Stella Sansom and Iona Merrithew.  It was another adventure to add to her storybook of life. When Moms health declined, she moved to Brunswick Hall and then finally to Frederick Hall.

She will be forever missed by her children, Donna Zeggil (Edmonton), Kathy & Tim Hicks (Fredericton) and Terry & Ramona Tosh (Kamloops).  She leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Taylor & Irena Zeggil (Edmonton), Darren & Carole Zeggil (Edmonton), Dr. Jared Zeggil (Toronto), Neville Hicks & Kate Ryley (Cayman Islands), Hillary Hicks & Ben Laing (Melbourne, Australia), Elliott Hicks & Tess Billings (Fredericton), Tiffany Tosh (Kelowna) and Alana & Jeff Martens (Kamloops).  She will live forever in the legacy of her 10 great grandchildren.  Mom is also survived by her sister, Margaret (Sherman) Cunningham (Kleinberg, ON) and many nieces, nephews and friends. 

Mom was predeceased by her husband, Tom in 2013, and her sisters, Barbara Childs (Grande Prairie) in 2023, and Christine Starkey (Oromocto) in 2024.

The family sincerely thanks the wonderful staff at Fredrick Hall for their exceptional care and kindness over the past three years. We are especially grateful to Lesley Fraser, and her daughters, Mackenzie and Haley for all they did to make Mom’s life more comfortable in her final years.  We would also like to thank Dr. Jeff Barton who was her amazing GP before the nursing home - he went above and beyond to help Mom and us over the years.

Mom instilled great values in all of us and we will remember her as a loyal, patient, kind and generous lady.   

A Celebration of Life will take place on August 17^th, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Garrison Room from 3:00-5:00pm with remarks at 4:00pm.  Please join us as we celebrate a life well lived and well loved. Private interment to be held at the Oromocto Pioneer Gardens Cemetery where she will join her beloved husband, Tom.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to Hospice Fredericton or to a charity of your choice in Doris’s memory.