Dorothy Elizabeth Maltais, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and cherished sister, left this world at the age of 82 in Victoria, British Columbia.
Dorothy was born in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, into a large family of 14 children. The family moved to White Rock when she was a child, and she spent the bulk of her life in British Columbia with the exception of five years in Edmonton. In her 50s, she moved with her husband Rene to New Zealand to be closer to her daughter, Cindy. Shortly after Rene passed away in 2008, she moved back to Victoria and happily lived the rest of her years there with her dear companion, Frank Ewer.
Throughout her life, she worked in various roles—from an apprentice painter and retail clerk to her favourite position as a lab technician at Fonterra in New Zealand, where she found great fulfillment. A devoted gardener, Dorothy found joy in tending her plants and sharing her love of nature with those around her.
Her greatest happiness was her family, and she took great pride in her children, Cindy (James), Dennis (Kelly), and Michelle (David), as well as her grandchildren Jackson (Liv), Ethan (Holi), Cushla (Hamish), Clint (Hannah), Connor (Jade), Katy, and Cameron. Her great-grandchildren— Sylvie, Louie, Charlie, James, Dominic, and Harrison— brought her endless joy.
She is also survived by her siblings Grace, Richard, Mary, Jim, Gary, Adele, and Ken, along with many nieces and nephews. There was nothing she loved more that to visit with her siblings, tell stories and laugh (with the odd practical joke thrown in).
Dorothy was known for her radiant smile, infectious sense of humour, and her unwavering love for her family. She would never end a conversation with family without telling them she loved them. Dorothy’s warmth, laughter, and love will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Maltais” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
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John Ikeda-Williams
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The Williams Family We are so sorry to hear of Dorthys passing. She was kind, generous and always so warm and welcoming. Her beautiful smile and infectious laugh will be remembered fondly. Sending our condolences to all who love her. She truly was a lovely person and will be deeply missed.
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Robyn Turnbull Dear Cindy, James and family,
My thoughts are with you all at this very sad time. A lot of fun times with Dot and crew at Fonterra particularly when it involved a glass of wine or two. RIP lovely lady xx
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Andrea Harnett Rene and Dorothy came into our lives and all the Harnett’s immediately fell in love with both. Rene would tell his epic tales and Dorothy would giggle along even when many were about her. She was such great mates with ‘Granny’ even making the mistake of going to a wrong and very questionable movie but from it, endless laughter. Life is ao sad that some people, like Dorothy don’t get to live forever because the world, is way better with them in it. RIP Dorothy – will only ever have positive memories of you, thank you for this. To the whānau; you will miss her most so much love to you all at this time.
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Barb Trollope Sending our love to the extended Canadian families and the nz extended whanau. My memories of Dorothy with Granny Jean, enjoying each others company. Two soul mates. One of the most hard working woman I knew. Carrying Cushla as a baby. Cushla’s feet never touched the ground. We missed Dorothy when she returned to Canada but also very happy for her with new found relationships and connecting back with family. Rest in peace our beautiful Dorothy. Arohanui. Barb & John Trollope. Xx
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Michelle Forrest I feel so lucky to have gotten to work with Dot. She was always smiling, radiant and full of joy while working in the lab. I have many fond memories especially with Bev and Dot chatting, ‘arguing’ laughing, telling jokes and singing along to the songs on the radio, plus there were a few wines on a Friday at ‘Sav club’, fish n chips for her farewell from work and some really good dress up parties thrown in there.
She would always be sharing stories about what her grandchildren were up to and how proud she was of them. Dot was like an extra Grandma at work and she was truly excited for me when I got engaged, then married and when I was pregnant with my first. I know she followed along with what my family got up to and we luckily got to hear how she was doing when her grandson and great grandchildren moved in next door to us.
My deepest condolences to all her family left behind. May you all keep her alive in the stories you share. Sending many hugs, and aroha to you all.“He aha te mea nui o te ao. He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata”
“What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.”
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Sharron Bergerson Seeing the photo of Dorothy reminds me of her infectious laugh. I picture her at her 60th birthday party at Cindy’s, singing karaoke, so full of life and fun. She was a lovely lady, inside and out, and it is a privilege to have known her.
Our thoughts are with you all at this sad time. Dorothy’s light, love and kindness live on in the many memories she created and the people who loved her.
Love and hugs, Sharron, Kim and Josh
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Sonya and Keith Olney I am so sad to hear of Dorothys passing. Dorothy loved to have fun and I remember fondly the laughter, jokes, Karaoke and the pokies at wine club of Friday evenings in Palmerston North.
Keith and I are so grateful, we were able to catch up with Dot, meet Frank and enjoy their hospitality when we were in Canada last April.
I have such wonderful memories of a very special lady in my heart for ever.
To Frank and Dorothys family and friends, our thoughts and prays are with you all.
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Bev This woman changed my life. Her wisdom, sense of family, humour, willingness to join our mad cap schemes, devoted friendship, going the extra mile out of her comfort zone and indefagitable love made her so so special. She taught me to play the ‘pokies”, tried to tell jokes which never got to the punchline and never judged. Loved you my Dorrie
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Sean Ewer Dorothy was incredible lady, always full of love and light. Dorothy came into our lives and helped fill a massive void of our own with the passing of my Mother and Grandparent to my boys.
Dorothy would often spend an entire day in the garden and never shied from hard work.
Over countless coffees and dinners and never ending treats she would lay out, our conversations would ultimately touch on Dorothy’s family and what was new with them. She was extremely proud of each and every one of you. One look at the refrigerator would echo that sentiment as you were all posted there for each visitor at the house to see.
Dorothy was someone we could all learn from. She had a kind word for all (even those who may not deserve it and always held her head high.A class act in every regard.
We will miss her warm smile, infectious laugh and her heartfelt hugs (those hugs you knew were all love).
To her family we just want to send lots of love and our thoughts to you.
Love,
Sean, Kimberly, Harrison and Finley
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Ron and Marilyn Danvers We were so sad to hear of the passing of Dorothy. She was a beautiful woman inside and out! Dorothy was always smiling whenever we saw her. We feel very fortunate to have known her. She will be missed by many . Love and hugs to all of her family.
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Mark and Jody MacPhail Thank-you Dennis for bringing Dorothy into our lives. We have many memories of family get together’s where Dorothy was present. She was a great friend to Mom. We will always remember her smile and friendly personality. Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing Dorothy, knows how she loved her family and took interest in all of the kids. She is going to be sorely missed. Our hearts go out to all of you at this time.
Aunty Dorothy will live on in our memories as the aunt who bought us Smarties when we visited as kids, the one with the sharpest wit, and someone who was always positive, outgoing, and full of love.