Dorothy Ellen (Mottern) McLeod

Dorothy McLeod (Dot) formerly of White Rock, BC, passed away peacefully at St. Charles Manor on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at the age of 93. Dot is survived by her son Norman (Toni) and daughter Lorie; grandchildren Isolde (Jeremy) and Arwen and great-grandsons Mitchell, Henry and J.J. Dot is also survived by her sister Phyllis (Billie) Papp of Strathmore and numerous nieces and nephews. Dot was predeceased by her loving husband of 60 years, William (Bill) John McLeod; sister Mabel Armstrong; brother Albert Mottern and brother-in-law George Papp.

Many close friends have become part of our extended family and join us in remembering Dot, including Elva and Harold Hunter, Karen and Keith Strong, Marilyn and Neil Wood, Alan and Michelle Vandene, Thea Wall, Jean Hickey and other dear friends from Carlton House, Victoria and White Rock.

Dot was born in Trochu, Alberta to Lloyd and Alice Mottern, and grew up in a close-knit family and farming community going to dances twice a week and riding her horse to school. Dot created beautiful clothes, needlework and embroidery as a young woman and later studied fashion design and excelled in her studies, becoming an accomplished tailor and seamstress. During WW II, Dot packed parachutes at one of the British Commonwealth Air Force training centres outside of Calgary and met Bill when he was stationed at a Canadian Air Force base near Calgary. Dot and Bill were married in Edmonton in November 1947, and travelled throughout the prairies and British Columbia as Bill worked in the oil and gas industry. Bill and Dot settled in Hudson’s Hope in 1959, and later moved to Mica Creek and Revelstoke, where Bill installed instrumentation on the dams and Dot worked as a tailor, seamstress and postmistress. Bill and Dot retired to White Rock where they joined the local seniors’ baseball team, played bridge and entertained family and friends, along with their beloved cat “Big Foot”. Dot excelled at bridge and made many close and lasting friendships over the years. Dot moved to Victoria in 2010 and developed close friendships during her time at Carlton House.

Dot had a gentle strength and a gracious and vibrant appreciation of life. She enjoyed making and gifting butterflies and other crafts, and loved to laugh watching favourites like Doc Martin and As Time Goes By, with her beloved cat Fiona snuggled on her lap.

A celebration of Dot’s life was held on May 9th at Carlton House.

We will miss her and hold dear our memories of this special and lovely person. The family extends their appreciation to the caregivers who helped make life easier as her health declined, and to the dedicated and caring staff at Carlton House who helped her make a new home in Victoria. Dot will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Deep gratitude to Dr. Marie Skinnider for the wonderful care she provided to Dot and to the staff for all their help and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.

Condolences to the family may be offered below.

Sequoia Gardens Memorial
www.sequoiagardens.com