Obituary of Doreen Thelma Mehling

Doreen Thelma Mehling passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Regina, SK at the age of 87, after a short illness.

Doreen is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Richard Mehling; devoted daughters Julie Herman (Don Maisonneuve) and Tasha (Gord) Lupanko; treasured grandchildren, Rebecca (David) Slinn, Miranda Herman (Mark Anczurowski), Tyler Lupanko (Brooke Okanee) and Matthew Lupanko (Tiara Ashworth); as well as numerous nephews, nieces and many special friends. She was predeceased by her mother, Ila May (nee Kitchen) Furo; father Michael Furo; brothers Harvey Furo, Frank (Sylvia) Furo and Ken Furo; sisters June (Ernie) Carswell and Charlotte (Henry) Novakowski; and best friend, Janet Shepherd of Regina, with whom she shared a birthday, passed just the week before she did. They are likely having tea together now and sharing treasured stories of their lives.

Doreen was born in a log cabin in Rabbit Lake, Saskatchewan in August of 1934 and weighed just a few pounds.  Her parents wrapped and placed her in a shoebox near the wood stove for warmth, hoping and praying she would survive the night.  Doreen not only survived, but thrived

Doreen lived most of her life in Regina and fondly remembered the Furo’s first home with power and running water – a wartime house on Ingersoll Crescent in Regina.  She was educated in Regina and enjoyed working in the city’s popular downtown department stores – Eatons, where she was the stationary department manager and Simpson-Sears where she worked on the fashion floor and was chosen to model for the company. 

Doreen married the love of her life, Richard Mehling, on October 5, 1957, and went on to share nearly 65 wonderful years of marriage.  She was a devoted mother and grandmother and shared her passions for painting, cooking, baking, sewing and craft art with her children and grandchildren.

After raising her children, Doreen returned to the work force, training as a cosmetician and working for various popular drug stores (Pinders, Bi-Rite, Shoppers).  She enjoyed helping others learn how to achieve great skin and be beautiful, and she had a long list of loyal customers.  A highlight in Doreen’s life was when her daughters submitted their mom for a makeover in a local women’s magazine.  She won a day of pampering at a local spa, a shopping trip and was featured in the magazine.  The magazine clipping, though yellowed, remains a precious memory.

Doreen loved to write and to express her love to her family.  There was never a birthday or anniversary card that didn’t include a special hand-written note from her, and her family cherishes those special words to this day.  On the afternoon of her passing, the family discovered she had a “box of good thoughts” – small notecards where she had written special memories of each of them.  They read them together, crying and laughing and feeling her love for them all.  It was a special gift from a woman with a tremendous heart.

Doreen’s life will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 25, 2022 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 2015 4^th Avenue North, Regina, SK. For those not able to attend, a live stream may be viewed at https://youtu.be/hMickZB_noE. A lunch for all will follow in the Mount Olive Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the William Booth Special Care Home where Doreen received such special care in her final days.