My Grandmother

Doreen Wynson (wells) Bennee born October 21, 1921 died March 18, 2009.

My grandmother was born in Durban South Africa and was the only child of Herbert Wells and Emily Sparks. Her parents( my great grandparents) had a fairy tale marriage, but it ended too soon. Great Grandpa died of a brain tumor when grandma was just 7 years old. It was devastating to both grandma and greatgrandma, as they loved and adored him, and it affected them for the rest of their lives.

Grandma always wanted to be a boy when she was young, and was allowed to dress like one- which was unheard of during those days. She loved to climb trees and play games such as cowboys and Indians. She loved animals and was always very kind to them. My mom said that even as an adult she couldn’t hurt a fly – literally. That if there was a bug in the house she would carry it outside rather than kill it. Grandma was always very tenderhearted.

Grandma and Grandpa met while in grade school- Grandpa would carry Grandmas books for her and help her climb trees….however Grandma and Greatgrandma had to move a lot- they didn’t have a lot of money after the death of Herbert. They moved to Cambridge for a while and then ended up in Johannesburg and lived there. Great grandmother had to work a lot to make ends meet and this meant that grandmother was alone while she was growing up. It was very difficult for her as she was shy and she had a hard time making friends. Her last year in high school she met up with Grandpa again and by now Grandpa was already in Medical School. Then they parted ways for a brief time, and met up again after grandma was in college and grandpa was finishing up medical school and was enlisting in the Army( he was 22- yes he was incredibly brilliant).They decided to get engaged as they didn’t know when Grandpa would be sent to war.

Ann was born while Grandpa was off at war and she was 2 before Grandpa got to meet her.(They had 5 children Ann, Rick, Robert, Peter and my Mom) After Rick and Robert were born, missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints came knocking on the door. Grandma always had an interest in God and religion, but never had been able to find a church that could answer her questions. She read the pamphlets, prayed and believed it was true. Grandpa took a bit longer. They were both baptized in a River( with Sharks) on May 1st 1948.

Grandma was called as the 1st Young Womens President in the South Africa Durban Branch. After a while Grandma and Grandpa decided that they wanted to move to Canada where the church was bigger and would offer their children the ability to be have a closer association with other members. Canada was a natural choice for Grandpa, as he would be able to transfer his medical training more easily to Canada then the States. So they packed up and moved from SA to Canada in January 1951. They were true pioneers for they left all their families behind. They settled in Cardston Alberta where Peter and my mother where born.

They later moved to Edmonton so Grandpa could return to school and specialize in psychiatry, then they moved to Tranquille, BC where Grandpa ran a mental hospital and then eventually moved and settled in Vernon, BC.

Grandma had many callings in the church…but spent years in the YW presidency. She had a knack and special talent with the youth.

Grandma and Grandpa divorced in 1971 and Grandma went on a mission in Florida in 1971. She remarried after her mission and then divorced 3 years later. She then met Rex Wiley. They married and were together 10 years until Rex died.

Grandpa had remarried himself and remained married until his second wife died. Both Grandma and Grandpa found themselves single again and both, with much discussion, felt they should remarry. They had both grown and changed throughout the years and still loved one another. Grandpa had the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and grandma knew that she would be care taking grandpa through much of his last years together. However before Grandpa got really sick they did have a good couple years and it was wonderful to see our grandparents together again.

Grandmother was unusual for her generation. She was incredibly open. You could talk to her about anything. She was my moms best friend. I think this is why my mother has wanted and succeeded in being my best friend. She continues the legacy of her own mom. Grandma always accepted you regardless of where you were in life. Loved you even with your struggles, understood that everyone has to choose their own path. She was stalwart in her testimony in the gospel-Grandma was always there for you to talk to, be with, support you – no matter what.
Grandma was faced with so many many heartaches and trials but never complained. She wanted and did live a Christ centered life. She aged with grace and enjoyed life to its fullest. We( all of us ) are so happy that she is with her loved ones on the other side. We love her and will miss her always.