Dorothy died peacefully and surrounded by family in Victoria, BC.
Born in Newcastle, UK, she began her nursing training as a teenager before moving to London for several years where she met Graham. They married in 1960 and started their family, emigrating to Canada with young Martin and David to Montreal, where Judy was born. The family moved west to North Vancouver in the late 1970s, and Dorothy continued nursing at Lions Gate Hospital, then to Powell River, where she and Graham could sail the Star Sapphire throughout the Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound. They have since enjoyed many years of retirement and world travel, having finally settled in Victoria in the 1990s.
Dorothy is survived by her beloved husband Graham with whom she shared 66 years of marriage, her children Martin, David (Jillan), Judy (Cameron), as well as Bethany, Hazel and Molly, who she was proud to call her grandchildren. She will also be missed by nieces and nephews in the UK.
Dorothy is known for her compassion, empathy, mischief, music and storytelling. She had a gift for lifting spirits and supporting those who needed a boost. In her later years she pursued a lifelong dream to play the harp, becoming enmeshed in the harp community of the Pacific northwest and sharing many of her ‘Maggie’ stories at ceilidhs and other performances. She was a loving wife, mother, aunt, sister and friend, a kindred spirit and surrogate mother to many, a patron to developing artists and musicians, a cheerleader to those who were struggling, and a teacher of life lessons through her stories, which almost always included some amusing mishap and hopeful resolve. In her later years, she became an active member of the St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Oak Bay, where she continued to share her music, knitting, life stories and laughter.
She will be remembered for her love and kindness.
Dorothy’s family would like to thank the staff at Palliative Care, Royal Jubilee Hospital for their excellent care in her final days. If you would like to honour her memory, please consider a donation to Victoria Hospice or Royal Jubilee Hospital for the purchase of life-saving equipment.
A Memorial to Celebrate Dorothy will be held at St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, 1701 Elgin Road, Victoria, BC V8R 5L7, on August 29th, 2026, at 2:30 pm.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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