February 5, 1926 - May 24, 2020
Dorothy Mabel Russell (nee Rose), 94, passed away peacefully at the Lodge on 4th in Ladysmith on May 24, 2020. She was born on February 5, 1926 on a farm near Success, Saskatchewan (the third youngest of six children of the late Herbert and Lucy Rose).
She is survived by her daughter Diane in Nanaimo, daughter Loris Asay (George) in Prince George, grandson Brad Asay (Amanda Lacerda) in Prince George, and granddaughter Amanda Asay in Nelson; a sister (Gladys Evans in Calgary), a sister-in-law (Virginia/Jean Russell in Moose Jaw); and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 66 years (Raymond - who died in 2017), siblings George (Ena), Edgar (Grace), Hilda (Erhart), infant child Florence, brothers-in-law Bernie Evans and John Russell, and nephews Roly Russell and Bob Acton.
Dorothy went to Normal School in Moose Jaw where she obtained her Teaching Certificate. She met Ray in Moose Jaw, they got married, and they began their teaching careers in a two-room school in Brock, Saskatchewan. After Ray began teaching high school in Rosetown, they moved there, built a house together (while Dorothy was pregnant with Diane), and started life and a family there. Two years later, Loris was born. Dorothy operated an in-home kindergarten for a number of years in Rosetown.
She kept very busy with gardening, canning, freezing vegetables from the garden, baking, making jams and jellies with chokecherries and blackberries, and helping out with the activities of the girls. She was the consummate homemaker and she made sure that the girls had all their favourite recipes before they left home for university. She loved to sew, knit, crochet, and she was very active in a quilting group in Ladysmith.
She and Ray enjoyed square dancing, playing bridge, and other social activities. She took courses through the University of Saskatchewan when the girls got older. She taught Sunday School in Rosetown, she was active in the Junior Auxiliary program there with the girls, and with the Bluebirds and Campfire Girls when the family lived in Corvallis, Oregon for a year (while Ray was going to University).
The family moved to Ladysmith in 1968 and Dorothy continued to take courses towards an Education degree. She was a Substitute Teacher and a Tutor in Ladysmith and Nanaimo for many years and the children loved her!
Dorothy was active in numerous organizations (including Beta Sigma Phi). Dorothy was involved in many activities in the Anglican Church that were very important to her (including the Anglican Church Women's group, the Altar Guild, Cursillo, Order of St. Luke, Ultreya, Bible study groups, Church bake sales, Church rummage sales, and several others). Dorothy was also a figure skating judge in both Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
Family was always very important to Dorothy. She was particularly close to her two sisters (Hilda and Gladys) and many holidays were spent with them and also with the families in Pennant and on the farm (George, Edgar, their families, and Grammy and Grandad Rose). She enjoyed researching her family tree and she was able to meet a number of relatives in England when she and Ray travelled there. She kept in touch with all family members through regular letter writing. Her address book was always full!
Both before and after retirement, Dorothy and Ray travelled extensively seeing the world. That included trips to Europe with Ray for Adlerian Conventions, boating trips with the Albineers and the Power Squadron groups, many trips to Prince George to see her much-loved grandchildren, and multiple winter trips in the 5th wheel to Arizona.
Dorothy spent her final years at La Rosa Gardens and then the Lodge on 4th in Ladysmith living with Ray (until his death in 2017) and participating in the many activities offered there. The staff there loved her and took wonderful care of her for many years. We are so appreciative of their care.
A celebration of life will be held eventually - once the Covid-19 health crisis has settled. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice in Dorothy's name. Condolences may be offered at www.telfordsladysmith.com