Dorothy passed away peacefully in Toronto on August 11, 2023 at the age of 96. She was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where she spent a happy childhood as the second youngest member of a very large family. Like many in Belfast, Dorothy’s family was heavily affected by the Great Depression and World War II, but she looked back at her life in Ireland with great fondness.

Although a quiet and shy person, Dorothy had a resolve that was never to be underestimated. Deciding that it would provide more opportunity for her young family, it was only a matter of time before she would convince her husband, Samuel, that they should emigrate to Canada despite the fact that neither had previously been further afield than Dublin. In 1955, Dorothy, Sam and their infant son, David, bravely began a new and very different life in Toronto.

After arriving in Canada, Dorothy and Sam rounded out their small family with two more boys, Terence and Glenn. They had a little house close to the Danforth that hosted every family gathering for decades and was the scene of much storytelling, reminiscing and laughter. Dorothy took great joy from her family and, even as it got quite large, her little house never felt too small because she made sure that every new member felt welcome and loved. She embraced daughters-in-law, Mary, Linne and Candy, and took enormous pride in her grandchildren: Jeffrey, Matthew & Andrew; Sam, Clare & Maggie; and Ryan, Adam & Jack. She was thrilled by the arrivals of great-grandchildren: Reed & Madeleine; Nina & Camille; and Charlotte & Wyatt, even if she couldn’t quite believe how much time had gone since she had left Belfast with a young husband and a baby boy, or that she had lost her beloved Sam over 20 years ago.

Dorothy loved the simple things: a good chuckle, a nice cup of tea, and a tin of Quality Street; she valued kindness above all. Dorothy was a modest and humble person, but her impact on her family was immeasurable. Although we miss her terribly, we are full of gratitude and admiration.

Our deepest appreciation goes to the incomparable team at the Palliative Care Unit at The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre. Donations can be made in Dorothy’s memory to the Grace at www.torontograce.org