Doris Loy (Erixon) Southam

Mrs. Doris Southam of Crossmount, SK, formerly Pierson, MB. passed away peacefully at St. Paul’s Hospital, Saskatoon, SK. on Friday, March 28, 2025 at the age of 88.

Doris is survived by her children: daughter, Charlene Southam; daughter, Christine (Garry) MacDonald; son, James Southam; grandchildren:  Neil (Amber) Brown, Brady (Hollie) Brown, Alyssa (Tyler) Dzurka, Kayla (Ranga) Prasad, Melissa (Dan) MacDonald, Brett (Joyce) MacDonald, Angela Southam, Rodney (Bradee-Jayne) Southam and several great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; sister, Jean (Donal) Fraser; brother, Marvin (Diana) Erixon.

She was predeceased by her husband, David Southam; her father, Einar Erixon; mother; Dorothy Erixon (Klein).

Doris was born in Oungre, Saskatchewan to Einar and Dorothy Erixon. She attended school in Lyleton, Manitoba and took her grade 12 in Estevan, Saskatchewan. She and a friend went to Winnipeg and trained for secretarial work, working in Winnipeg after graduation and later in Estevan where she met Dave. In February of 1957 she married David Southam and they began their life together on the southeast quarter of 26-2-29. To this union three children were born. They celebrated 66 years together!

Doris worked side by side with Dave on the farm, sometimes instructing Dave how to do things, as well as working outside the home.  She taught typing and math at Pierson Collegiate for a few years. She worked with Ivan Vickers at the Municipal Office for several years and then as a part-time assistant at the RM of Arthur and part-time for Antler River Resources, all the while running their children to their various activities.

Doris was involved with organizing the Carnival of Crafts for several years. She also worked on the history book committee and spent countless hours editing and proofreading materials for Harvests of Time. Doris spent countless chilly hours (her fingers were numb) running music in the old rink in Pierson for figure skating club. Doris & Dave planted garden not only for themselves but had enough for all their children and then some! Doris’s flower beds and her yard were her pride and joy in the spring and summer and she spent countless hours caring for them. In Doris’s spare time she loved making clothes and sewing countless different projects.

Many fun filled hours were spent watching her children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren with hockey, figure skating, curling, ball, bowling, kayaking and archery. Many of the grandchildren received hand crafted furniture that was lovingly made by Grandpa and finished to perfection by Grandma. Every job that she took on, she wouldn’t be satisfied until it was finished to the best of her ability – it didn’t matter what it was! All the grandchildren will lovingly remember Grandma for her peanut butter marshmallow squares and clouds.

She was the utmost caregiver, always seeing to everyone else’s needs before her own. Her grandchildren have many stories and fond memories, special times spent with Grandma. Doris will be fondly remembered by all she touched in her lifetime.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. May she rest in peace.

A public graveside funeral service for Doris was held at the Pierson Cemetery, Pierson, MB. on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. A time of fellowship followed at the Pierson Community Hall. 

Donations may be given to Palliative Care, St. Paul's Hospital, 1702 20th St. W. Saskatoon, SK. S7M 0Z9 or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 415 1st Street East Brandon, MB. R7A 2W8                                                 

     "She is gone"

      You can shed tears that she is gone

      Or you can smile because she has lived

      You can close your eyes and pray that 

     She will come back

      Or you can open your eyes and see all

     that she has left

      Your heart can be empty because you

     can't see her

      Or you can be full of the love that you

     shared

    —-David Harkins

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