Well-known Langley resident Doris Blair passed away on Nov. 6, at the age of 95.
She was the matriarch of the Blair family, whose Langview Farms dairy farm was a fixture on 216 Street for many generations. In addition, she was very involved in numerous community activities, which began when she moved to Langley in 1941 after her marriage to Bill Blair.
Her absence was noted at the annual Douglas Day pioneers’ banquet last Wednesday. She had been on the Douglas Day committee for many years and was a regular attendee.
“She (and her husband Bill) helped make Langley what it is today and will be to-
morrow,” Langley Township Mayor Jack Froese said at the event.
She was born Doris Jean Livingston on May 1, 1919 at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster and first lived in Richmond before her family moved to Cloverdale in 1923 to establish Hillside Dairy Farm. She attended elementary and high school in Cloverdale and later went to Towers Acadamy in New Westminster.
She was an accomplished Highland dancer and remained interested in dancing all her life.
She married into the Blair family, which had a long-established farm on 216 Street and soon became involved in church, school and community affairs. Bill served on Langley Township council from 1970 to 1981 as a councillor, and then as mayor from 1981 until his death in 1985.
After he died, Doris became even more active in the community. She was particularly interested in Langley heritage. She was a member of the Langley Heritage Society, and the Native Daughters of B.C. post #6. She was also active in Sharon United Church in Murrayville for many years.
In 1992, she received a commemorative medal for Canada’s 125th anniversary in recognition of her many contributions to the community.
She was deeply devoted to her six children, their spouses, children and grandchildren, and hosted a Christmas dinner at her home until 2013, when at 94 she decided to let other family members take over.
She is survived by her children Doug (Anne), Jean (Alan) Gregson, Jim (Marilyn), John (Sonya), Terry (Lynne) and Gordie (Cindi).
She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Her parents, brothers and sisters predeceased her, as did an infant son in 1958.
A celebration of her life will take place on Friday, Nov. 28 at Sharon United Church, 21562 Old Yale Road, at 2 p.m. Her family asks asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory go to Cystic Fibrosis Canada or the United Churches of Langley.