On Tuesday, February 13, 2024, Doreen Ruth Lock, a longtime resident of Oliver, B.C. passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in her sleep at the Sunnybank Retirement Centre at the age of 79.
She is predeceased by her father Hugh Gillies; mother Kathleen Benson (Gillies) (nee Jantz); step-father Albert Benson; brothers Hugh Gillies Jr. and Don Gillies; husband Tony Lock; and daughter Lisa Lock.

Doreen is survived by her daughter Janet Thompson; son-in-law Leonard Thompson; grandchildren Ty Baptiste-Lock and Kara Armagost; and great-grandchildren Josie, Nic, Everett, Sasha, and Joziah.

Doreen was born in Sexsmith, Alberta on April 25, 1944, to Scottish/Mennonite parents. She attended the Fairview Vocational and Agricultural College where she honed her sewing, cooking, and handicraft skills. Doreen didn’t like the long, cold winters of the north country, so in the mid-1960s she bought a 1-way ticket to Osoyoos, B.C. where she met Tony Lock. The two were married in January 1965. Tony was known as the “Tomato King” and farmed throughout the Oliver/ Osoyoos area with Doreen helping to sort, pack and assist with the business. They were fortunate enough to have their first home in Osoyoos built by the South Okanagan High School Construction Class, on the site of what is now J/G Produce.

The couple welcomed their first daughter Lisa in 1965, followed by Janet in 1970.

Life was about hard work and caring for Lisa, who from a young age suffered ill health. In 1980, Doreen stoically fought and beat breast cancer. During this time, she moved to Oliver, into a newly built home; thinking she was not long for this world, she wanted to make sure her daughters had a roof over their heads.

Doreen had a hand in forming the South Okanagan Wine Industry, planting grapes for growers in Cawston, Kelowna, Oliver, and Osoyoos. Her work ethic was second to none, living her life by the saying on her favourite coffee mug, “The best man for the job is a Wo-Man”. Doreen was strong, courageous, devoted and independent. She entered the Canadian Wrist wrestling Championship in 1976 in Osoyoos, BC and won.

Doreen lived a simple life and taught her loved ones that - without honesty, there is no truth; without truth, there is no love; and without love, there is nothing.

Special thanks to Dr. Robin Craven; Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service; Daniel K.Lo of McLeod Schneiderat; and the many friends she made at the Sunnybank Centre.

She will be missed and may she rest in peace.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com