Beaton, Doreen - Port Hawkesbury. The family is so very sad to announce the death of Doreen Beaton, age 79, of Port Hawkesbury on the evening of Thursday, January 16, 2020, six months after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. She passed away at Hospice Halifax, in the presence of her two eldest daughters. Born and raised in Inverness, Cape Breton, she was a daughter of the late John L. and the late Mary (Benoit) MacLennan. Doreen was educated in Inverness, at Teachers College in Truro, and at St. Francis Xavier University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts. Always believing in the importance of education, she spent 35 years as a teacher and administrator in the Inverness County school system. Doreen was an active volunteer in her church and community, especially in the Credit Union and Co-operative movements. She was very committed to children’s causes, and for over 40 years served at the local, provincial and national levels on the boards of various child welfare organizations. She was the recipient of several awards and recognitions for her contributions to these groups. In recent years she enjoyed being the Strait area community correspondent to CBC Radio’s "Information Morning" program. A bundle of energy, Doreen’s many interests included travel, reading, quilting, singing in community and church choirs and entertaining. Her wide and varied circle of friends reflected her outgoing nature and spirit of adventure. She took great pleasure in regularly testing new recipes on a full table of guests. Family and friends frequently looked to her for wise counsel and practical advice, and relied on her to keep everyone in line! Many thought of her as their "other" Mom. Doreen was a very proud mother to her four children and their spouses: Carole Beaton and Todd LeBlanc, Michele Beaton and David Timmons, Shaun and Belinda Beaton and Laurie and Sean Brown. She reveled in her role as Grammie to her five grandchildren: Ainslie Timmons, Aerin Brown, Ian Brown, Sarah Brown and Hailey Beaton. As the oldest of the MacLennan children, she was a sister to Tommy (Barbara), Stephen (deceased), Donald (Andree Crepeau), James (Janis Maschino), Bernard (Carrie) and Patricia Fisher (Kelvin). She was a beloved Auntie Doreen to many nieces and nephews and their children. The family would like to thank Dr. Patricia McKenna, the staff at Parkland at the Lakes in Dartmouth and all those who reached out to support Doreen and her family over the past months. Very special thanks to the Hospice staff for their compassion, care and respect during her final days. She will be deeply missed, and we are certain Heaven just became a little more organized! Visitation will be held on Friday, January 24th, from 1-5 and 7-9 p.m. in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, 724 Granville Street, Port Hawkesbury. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 25th, in St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Port Hawkesbury, with Fr. Conrad Edwards and Fr. Andrew Boyd officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Parish Cemetery Fund, Hospice Halifax or the charity of your choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com Visitation Information Visitation Friday, January 24, 2020 Visitation Time 1-5 and 7-9 p.m. Visitation Location Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, 724 Granville Street, Port Hawkesbury Service Information Service Date Saturday, January 25, 2020 Service Time 10 a.m. Service Location St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Port Hawkesbury Burial Information Burial Location Burial will be at a later date in the parish cemetery