DOREEN SAMBROOK

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DOREEN SAMBROOK

After a long and meaningful life, during which she touched countless hearts, our mom, Doreen Sambrook passed away peacefully with her loved ones close by her side, at Fairview Personal Care Home on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the age of 93 years.

Doreen was born in Wellwood, MB, on November 29, 1932, the second youngest of six children born to Jack and Mabel Wells. The family moved to Carberry MB, in 1941, where Doreen received her education and later worked as a bank teller. Doreen loved her sports: baseball, golf, curling, hockey; she approached them all enthusiastically.

In September of 1952, Doreen married Clarence William Smith (Smitty), and together they had four children: Gary, Murray, Greg, and Nancy. During their marriage, they lived in both Brandon and Winnipeg until Smitty’s passing in 1978.

Doreen later married Reuben Wheeler and returned to Brandon in fall 1979. Doreen was delighted to welcome Ruben’s three grown children: Jim, Rick, and Patty to her family. Doreen and Reuben spent much of their time at their cottage at Minnedosa Lake, hosting family gatherings full of ample singing and dancing. An avid gardener, Doreen’s yard was meticulously maintained and beautifully decorated with flowers, shrubs and peanuts for the birds and squirrels. Sadly, Rueben passed away in 1988 from ALS.

Doreen later married Howard Sambrook in 1992 and welcomed his daughter Colleen into her family. Howard and Doreen enjoyed many years golfing, curling, and spending time with family until his passing in 2012.

Throughout her life, Doreen was a member of several clubs, including the Assiniboine Memorial Curling, Brandon Curling Club, Minnedosa Golf Club, and Glen Lea Golf Club. Additionally, she was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #3 for over 60 years. She enjoyed watching her family and grandchildren’s many sporting activities, so much so that if she happened to miss a game, team mate’s parents would ask where she was!

Doreen spent her later years at Fairview Personal Care Home and was still able to enjoy lake life at her daughter and son-in-law’s home in Saskatchewan.

Doreen was predeceased by her father and mother (Jack and Mabel Wells); her siblings, Hugh (Trudy), Morley (Doris), Bernice Stonehouse, Perry (Delores), and Freda (Ken Davidson); her husbands, Clarence William Smith (Smitty), Reuben Wheeler, and Howard Sambrook; her sons, Gary and Greg Smith; and granddaughter, Tara Ilott.

Doreen is affectionately remembered by her family for her always positive attitude, sense of humour, and infectious laugh.

She is survived by her son Murray and his wife Donna Smith and their three children: daughter Rikki and her son Raven; son Tyler and his wife Ashleigh, and their daughters, Layla and Viola; and daughter Katie.

She is also survived by her daughter Nancy and her husband, Larry Fleece, as well as by Nancy’s three daughters: Pamela and her husband Kevin Levandosky, and their daughters Addison and Emerson; Jennifer and her husband Anthony Baker and their children, Ruby and Jones; and Alyssa and Greg Mitchell and their sons, Ian and Mac.

She was predeceased by her sons, Gary and Greg, and is lovingly remembered by Gary’s wife Michelle, and also by Greg’s wife Kim, and their sons, Matt and Jeff.

She is also survived by her “bonus” family, whom she cherished deeply. As Doreen often said, “There is nothing step about them. I have plenty of love to give.”

Jim and Bette Wheeler, their daughter Megan (husband John) and children, Nessa and Aster; and their son Geordie (wife Charlene) and daughter Daphne. Rick and Wendi Wheeler, their daughter Melanie (husband Travis) and children Chase and Claire; and their son Scott (wife Ainsley) and children Abigail and Wesley. Patty Ilott, her son Jordan (wife Shannon). Colleen Sambrook Adams (husband Rob), their daughter Kirby, and her children Kylie and Quinn Stone; and their son Tanner (wife Alaina) and their children Grace, Adelaine, and Elsie.

Remember, Mom, “There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart! Whenever I am missing you, I also remember how fortunate I was that you were in my life. I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything!”

A celebration of Doreen’s life will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #3, 560 13th Street East, Brandon, MB from 12:00 to 2:30 p.m. followed by a private family interment at Rosewood Memorial Gardens.

Charitable donations may be made to the cause of your choice or to: Alzheimer Society of Manitoba ~ Dementia Care, 10-120 Donald Street, Winnipeg MB, R3C 4G2 Web: https://alzheimer.mb.ca/

CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Ave. Room ON1160, Winnipeg MB R3E 0V9 Web: https://support.cancercarefdn.mb.ca/site/Donation2?df_id=1501&1501.donation=form1

Heart and Stroke Foundation Manitoba, https://www.heartandstroke.ca/how-you-can-help/volunteer/join-us/manitoba

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 25, 2026