94-year-old Bombers fan to cheer for Blue from her hospital bed - Action News
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Manitoba

94-year-old Bombers fan to cheer for Blue from her hospital bed

A Winnipeg woman plans to cheer on her favourite football team from the hospital on Sunday. Doreen Geary, 94, is staying at Winnipeg's Victoria Hospital, where she'seagerly waiting to see the Winnipeg Blue Bombers play in the110th Grey Cup championship.

Doreen Geary plans to watch Sunday's Grey Cup from her room at Winnipeg's Victoria Hospital

A woman with blanket
Lifelong Blue Bombers fan Doreen Geary is hoping for the team to win another championship Sunday. (Jeff Stapleton/CBC )

Adorned in a blue and gold Blue Bombers blanket, aWinnipeg seniorplans to cheer on her favourite football team from her hospital room on Sunday.

Doreen Geary, 94, is staying at Winnipeg's Victoria Hospital, where she'seagerly waiting to see the Winnipeg Blue Bombers play in the110th Grey Cup championship.

94-year-old Bombers fan to cheer for Blue from her hospital bed

12 months ago
Duration 1:23
While the Winnipeg Blue Bombers didn't win the Grey Cup last night it wasn't a loss for everyone. John Geary and his family watched the game at the Victoria Hospital with their mother, Doreen who is 94. He says they had a special night together despite the end result.

Her son, John Geary, said hecame to Winnipeg from P.E.I. over a month ago unsure how much time he'd have left withDoreen, after she fell and faced medical issues. But she's since had a turnaround in her health.

"She has rallied tremendously.We've taken her off comfort care to medical care, which is remarkable," John said.

Doreenhas been a Blue Bombers fan for more than 40 years and can see IG Field from outside her window. And there's a big Blue Bombers blanket she uses in her room too.

John explained his mother has always rooted for the Blue and Gold, but has had rivalry with hercousin Madge Reed,a Stampeders fan who lives in Calgary. He said everyone knew not to get between the two during games.

A man with glasses
John Geary has fond memories of his mother's passion for football. (Jeff Stapleton/CBC)

He also has fond memories watching games at the old Canad Inns Stadium near Polo Park.

"My parents were there as well," John said. "My father's passed away for 20 years now, the tradition continues."

As the big game approaches, Doreen plans to try to watch the full game, or at least the final quarter. She wasn't able to watch the entire Western Final last week, but she doesn't want to miss the Bombers hoisting the Grey Cup if they secure thevictory.

"I know my son wanted to get me the TV on and that, but I couldn't sit up and watch the whole game," she said. "SoI said 'I definitely wanna watch the last part of it and just see them win.'"

A woman with grey hair lays in a hospital bed with a football team's flag draped over her.
Doreen Geary, 94, has been a Winnipeg Blue Bombers fan for more than 40 years. (Submitted by Jennifer Gallant)

She said she has a bet with her daughter-in-law's uncle, Tony Larkin, who is cheering for the Montreal Alouettesand hopes to be able to tell him "I told you so" after the dust settles.

Hermessage for the team was simple: "Go Bombers go, and make sure you win," she said.

The Grey Cup will kick off Sunday at 5 p.m. CT. at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ont.

With files from Ian Froese