Dr. Doris May Babstock

BABSTOCK Dr. Doris May (nee Symonds) Passed peacefully away at Tiffany Village on October 17th 2019, in her 79th year. Predeceased by her parents May and Joseph Symonds, sister and brother-in-law Elizabeth and Barry Short, parents-in-law Margaret and Arthur Babstock. Leaving to mourn her loving husband of 56 years Reg, daughters Cindie Babstock (Rob Fildes), Caryn Babstock (Mike Dzuirban) of Stouffville Ontario, Krista Lewis (Jeff) of Dunrobin Ontario, grandchildren Chloe Fildes, Richard and Rachel Lewis, brother Neville Symonds (Bette) of Trenton Ontario, brothers and sisters in-law Doug Babstock (Peggy Cullimore), Gary Babstock (Kathy Goodsell) of North Gower Ontario, Gail Babstock, and a large circle of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. We would like to express sincere gratitude to the caring staff at Tiffany Village, with special thanks to the team on the 8th floor. Doris graduated from St. Michael’s School in 1958 and worked at the Bank of Montreal until 1982. Looking for a new experience following her mother’s death in 1983, she decided to try some courses at Memorial University of Newfoundland. After a few terms she found that she was enjoying the academic life and decided to tackle it full time. Doris graduated in 1990 with an Honours B.Sc degree and was awarded the University Medal for Academic Excellence in Psychology in recognition of her outstanding academic record. With the encouragement of her Honours’ mentor, Dr. Carolyn Harley, Doris decided to continue postgraduate studies in Behavioral Neuroscience. She had completed two years of academic course work and research required towards a Master’s degree when Carolyn convinced her that she was ready to jump forward and carry out a full doctoral program. Doris won a Natural Sciences and Engineering Fellowship Award for her doctoral studies and pursued the problem of sex-related differences in early brain development in a critically important memory structure. She completed the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Behavioral Neuroscience in 1999 and convocated in 2000. Doris had the mind and heart of natural scientist. Although coming late to this avocation, she published four first-author papers. Her doctoral work was the first ever to report on the development of testosterone sex hormone receptors postnatally in both female and male brains. Doris eventually retired from science to enjoy family time, golf and travel with the love of her life, Reg. Resting at Barrett's Funeral Home, 328 Hamilton Avenue on Monday October 21st, 2019 from 2:00-9:00pm. Church service to be held at St. Mark's Anglican Church on Logy Bay Road October 22nd at 2:00pm. Reception and celebration of Doris' life to follow at St. Mark's Church. Private interment will be held at a later date. Flowers gratefully accepted or donations in Doris' memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Newfoundland Alzheimer's Society or to St. Mark's Church. To view the online guestbook or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.barretts.ca Doris' beautiful smile and spirit will be missed by all who knew her.