KNIGHT, Dorothy MacBeth (nee Cochrane) – Peacefully passed at St. Joseph’s Health Care Centre, Guelph, on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at the age of 96.
Loving wife of the late Peter Knight for 57 years. Beloved mother of David (Norma). Fondly remembered by her nieces in Scotland, Christian, Celia and Victoria.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the kindness, care and compassion of the volunteers, PSW’s, nurses and doctors at St. Joseph’s. Cremation has taken place, at Dorothy’s request, no service will be held. Those wishing to remember Dorothy are asked to make a memorial donation to a charity of their choice or commit a random act of kindness or two.
Arrangements entrusted to WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME (519-822-0051/www.wallcustance.com)
Attempting to sum up the life of a person who has lived 96 years is not an easy task. That said I will do my best to touch on the qualities of such a person, my Mum.
First off she was a survivor. Born just after the First World War she lived through the depression and then second World War spending some of her time in London during the Blitz and narrowly escaped bombs on at least two occasions. In 1956 she emigrated with her husband Peter and son David to Canada where they knew no-one and started all over again in a new country. She began working for the Toronto Board of Education as a school secretary and worked her way up in a short time to be the secretary of a school of 1200 students. All the while she was doing this she was suffering from scoliosis but never a word of complaint.
She was creative, and skilled with her hands. The scoliosis meant that off the rack clothing never fit properly so Mum made her own clothing or altered bought items so they would fit properly. She crocheted, knitted, quilted and made costumes for school plays and musicals and after retirement she put her skills to good use making items for sale in craft shows to help support the Dorothy Ley Hospice. She spent much time as a member of the Etobicoke Quilter's Guild creating lovely pieces of work some of which we treasure today. She was also a good cook baking cookies and cakes that couldn't be beat as well as daily meals fit for royalty.
She was a volunteer from the beginning being a member of the Girl Guides in Scotland eventually taking on a leadership role as a Brown Owl. She was a candy striper at the Royal Infirmary in Paisley before the war and after the war while living in London was a member of the local Women's Guild. Once in Canada she didn't slow down, helping out with school functions as mentioned above and joining the Pilot Club in her spare time. After retiring she volunteered at Queensway General Hospital for many years helping to give patients shampoos and bringing the book cart around the wards.
She was an optimist. Mum never really got down and if she did it would only be for a short period of time. When I would be miserable about something she would always find the bright side then dust me off and send me on my way with a smile. Even in her last years with dementia she never changed in her personality always being upbeat and cheerful smiling to the last.
She will be deeply missed but has left enough of herself behind in so many ways that we will always remember her.
A tree will be planted in memory of Dorothy M. Knight in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest, University of Guelph Arboretum. Dedication service, Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 2:30 pm.