Doris (Guillet) Holzworth was born in Marcelin, Sask., in 1926. She arrived in Prince George in 1947 along with parents Albert and Marie Guillet from Montreal, Que. She soon met Fred Holzworth - the love of her life and the man who would soon become her husband.
Doris said, "Fred worked for the Department of Highways until he retired in 1968. He had to retire early due to poor health; he passed away in 1975. We met at a dance at the old fire hall in South Fort George, we were married in 1948 and together we raised two devoted and wonderfully attentive children; Laura (Doug) Fry and Donald Holzworth, who passed away in 2008. Just think, if Fred was still alive we would soon be celebrating 66 years of marriage."
Doris Holzworth is a well-known Prince George volunteer and has been involved with her church, her community, her friends, her hobbies and her family's activities since the late 1950's.
Doris had a 16-year career working as a kindergarten teacher for a private school. After that she joined Rose Dorish in her flower shop - The House of Flowers - and worked there right up until she retired in 1988.
In 1958 Doris decided to volunteer for the hospital auxiliary at the old army barracks hospital; 56 years later she is still an active member of the hospital auxiliary. Doris says, "I am now 88 and all my life I have always tried to help out where I could and when I could."
I could write an entire book about all the volunteer projects Doris worked on and her leadership skills that got things done and her ability to ensure that everyone had fun while working on the projects. Instead, I will limit it to the history of the Knox United Church Seniors Tea that was started by Doris in 1960.
It all started in her small church on the corner of 5th Avenue and Brunswick Street. The tea was originally started by Doris, Dorothy Arnett and the Reverend Boyle's wife, Dorothy. Together they made the sandwiches and goodies and then arranged for the entertainment for the seniors tea. The tea was an immediate success and it wasn't long and they added the Valentines Day Queen of Hearts event. The numbers grew at a regular pace which caused the event to move to the seniors' home at 8th and Laurier, then to the bigger seniors' home at 10th and Alward. From there the event was moved to the lounge area at what are now the Aspen apartments. Soon that place became too small so they moved down to the newly-renovated basement.
Doris said, "When my husband became ill Mae Peckum and Doreen Jefferies took over my duties for awhile. The seniors' tea event was and still is very popular with anywhere from 300 to 400 seniors attending each month. In 1969 Doreen Jefferies approached city council and city hall for help and they agreed to take it over. The City of Prince George still sponsors this event by donating space at the Civic Centre for the monthly tea. This free event is now called the Golden Age Social; it is held at the Civic Centre on the second Wednesday of the month from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Golden Age Social starts out with an hour of lively entertainment and is followed with tea, coffee and goodies. All seniors are welcome to attend and join in the fun."
Doris said, "I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the volunteers and the many groups who take turns hosting this event. Thank you to all the people, the groups and businesses that donate all the gifts, the food and the entertainment for us seniors. We totally enjoy this event; it gives us a great chance to get out and socialize and also enjoy great entertainment and a nice snack at the same time. Thank you so much on behalf of all of us seniors."
