Doris E. Guinn

Doris Elsie Guinn 2/24/29- 1/25/22

Doris Elsie Guinn, devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, and proud matriarch, peacefully passed surrounded by her family, at the age of 92.

Doris Dixon Guinn was born and raised in Toronto (Scarborough), Ontario, Canada. It was there that she met her loving husband William “Bill” of 73 years at a Dance Hall. The pair continued to dance through life together taking dance lessons, stealing the stage with their Shirts and Skirts square dancing club and often being the last to leave the party.

Doris devoted her life to her family. She lived life to the fullest and made sure to pack as much into her 92 years as she possibly could. From the early days of traveling around Ontario as her 3 sons played competitive hockey to making the decision to move her young family to Syracuse, New York. She was a representative with Blue Cross Blue Shield, a typist, an aerobics instructor, a crossing guard, and active member of the Lafayette Senior Citizen Center and the Melrose Seniors, lifeguard of the shallow end, captain of the Jamesville walking crew and permanent resident of the Children’s table. She operated under several aliases and held many titles: Doe Doe, Nanny, Nana, GG, the Sarge, the Warden, World’s Greatest Grandma and the undisputed Queen of the Butter Tart Challenge.

One of her proudest achievements was being made a grandmother. A job she took very seriously. She was a hands-on coast to coast grandma traveling between Syracuse, Toronto, Anaheim and many cities across the country to see her grandchildren doing what they loved. She never missed a Westhill soccer game and could be found leading cheers (or giving the refs the business) and handing out her famous jumbo raisin cookies. She was also a lifelong hockey fan and took great joy in seeing her sons and grandsons play, in addition to cheering on her beloved Toronto Maple Leafs.

Her capacity for giving was immeasurable. She lit up a room with her smile and drew an audience with her quick wit and propensity for a good story. She never let useless rules get in the way of a good time and no problem was too big it couldn’t be solved over a cocktail and a good laugh. She shared many life lessons: you can tell a lot about a person by looking at their shoes; no matter your lot in life, you can look like a million bucks with a fresh hairdo and a good manicure; Wrinkles are the enemy; There’s always time for one more dance; Never go to bed mad and always kiss each other good night.

Doris is preceded in death by her brother Norman, sisters Helen, Florence and Violet. She is survived by Bill, her beloved husband of 73 years; her sister Shirley; their three sons Richard Guinn (Meg), Barry Guinn (Marilyn) and Randall Guinn (Linda); her six grandchildren Julie Mann (Taylor), Karen Guinn, Leanne Cordes (Brian), Devin Guinn (Andy Shaffer), Richard William Guinn, Jason Guinn (Kellie); her 5 great grandchildren Mackenzie Mann, Gabriella Mann, Jack Cordes, Kate Cordes, and Madelyn Guinn.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Pam Sisson’s care team. The care team loving endeared them to both Doris and Bill and earned them adopted granddaughter status.

She will be deeply missed but we are certain she would ask all who loved her to save their tears, and instead raise a glass and toast her amazing adventure.  Private services will be held. Condolences may be made at www.brewfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Doris E. Guinn, please visit our floral store.