Dorothy “Dot” Eileen Woods (nee Greig) passed away peacefully at her home in Guelph Ontario on Saturday September 19th, 2020 with her daughter Dianne, her son Steven, and her beloved daughter in law Sonshine at her side, holding her hands.
Dorothy was born March 18, 1926 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, near her family’s settled farm. Dorothy was daughter of Thomas Alexander Greig (1899-1978) and Eva Allilian Hamilton (1903-1971). Thomas immigrated from Scotland with his family in 1907, settling in Prince Albert in 1916. Dorothy was one of three children - and lifelong friends - with brother Thomas Frederick (1931-2006) and sister Jessie Pearl Golden (1922-2008). Dorothy was predeceased by her husband Frank (1925-2015) and her son Patrick (1952-2016).
Dorothy is survived by her children Dianne Yvonne (Bill Pier), Michael Frank (Lynn), Steven Gregory (Sonshine), her grandchildren Martin (Joanne), Christian, Greger, Andrea (Scott), Jeff (Kate), Travis, Hannah, Kiara, Caelyn and her great grandchildren Liam, Jonah and Isabel.
Dorothy spent her early youth in the small town of Turtleford, SK moving to Battleford, SK at the age of 11 and to Melfort, SK at 13. Dorothy remembers clearly the wonderful times at her grandparents’ farm and of Turtleford and her friends there.
Dorothy was an excellent student and went on to graduate from the University of Saskatchewan - graduating in 1947 from the College of Arts & Science. Dorothy frequently recalled stories from school - usually involving antics with a loved friend Pat Chasmar (nee Pierie) with whom she stayed in contact for more than 75 years, speaking with her even the night before her passing.
After working for a few years as a lab technician after graduating from university, she married her high school sweetheart Frank when he returned from serving in the RCAF during the war, and they soon started building a life and family in Melfort, Sk. Dorothy long looked forward to returning to her career but the demands of a growing family made that not possible. Dorothy was a loving and supportive mother, raising her four children in Melfort and always encouraging them in their academic and athletic and work endeavours. The extended family including her sister Jessie (and her husband Cecil Golden) and her brother Tommy (and his wife Bertie) was very active and many wonderful weekend days were spent together on the lakes of northern Saskatchewan - swimming, water-skiing, fishing and enjoying each others’ company. Losing her son Patrick, a long time executive in the hotel industry, to cancer in 2016 was a great personal tragedy for her.
Dorothy was an avid pianist for many years and loved reading, music, bridge, dancing and spending time visiting with friends. She also spent many happy hours on golf courses - especially in Melfort and Waskesiu - socially with friends, and also competing avidly in Saskatchewan’s women’s golf for many years. Dorothy learned to golf at the age of 14, taught by her club champion father Thomas. Dorothy spoke often of her lifelong friends Moe and Audrey Lefebvre and Ollie Rumberger back home in Melfort. Family and friends recall hundreds of backyard barbecues and hijinx at the Woods home - great times!
Dorothy is predeceased by many of her beloved friends from the Melfort golf scene - she fondly remembered Erma Reeder, Vi Goodfield, Peggy Cook and many others in recent days. Dorothy loved The Lobstick Golf Course at Waskesiu, SK in Prince Albert National Park. Dorothy had a hole-in-one in 1965 (shortly after giving birth to Steven) on its famous second hole. A plaque is placed on the 11th hole tee-box on The Lobstick as part of a family donation to the course - the text written by Dorothy and capturing her love of that special place: “Waskesiu - A Magic Experience- From Crisp August Lobstick Mornings To Warm July Afternoons With Kids On The Beach - All Framed by Stunningly Brilliant sunsets And Loons Calling All Summer. Dorothy & Frank Woods, 2014”. Earlier in August this year, Dorothy was competing in her apartment hallway with her neighbours in a putting contest - emerging victorious one more time!
Following the death of her husband Frank in 2015, Dorothy moved to Guelph, Ontario to be near her son Steven and his wife Sonshine and their grandchildren and two beagles. Dorothy regained her health, and made many good friends and acquaintances in Ontario - making many memories at dinners and evenings at both her home and that of her family, Dorothy always stayed on top of the school and sport comings and goings of her grandkids - attending many school and sport events with her family. Dorothy’s daughter Dianne and son-in-law Bill were frequent visitors from Calgary over these years - bringing much comfort.
Dorothy enjoyed travel and warm weather as a break from the Saskatchewan winters - and visited the USA (especially loving trips to Hawaii) and Mexico many times over the years with family and friends. Earlier - time spent in Australia with her niece Tannis and her family visiting “Straddie” … eating prawns fresh from the trawler was fondly remembered. Dorothy enjoyed a wonderful holiday trip in Mexico this past Christmas with her son Steven and his wife Sonshine along with their children Hannah, Kiara, Caelyn and daughter Dianne and her husband Bill. Many hours were spent reminiscing poolside and watching the kids in the sand - as she always loved. Watching the parasailers there, she wistfully recalled her own experience parasailing in Kona, Hawaii on her 72nd birthday!
Dorothy’s assisted living staff and residents at The Village of Arbour Trails in Guelph, Ontario were a wonderful source of support, companionship and friendship over the past years. Dorothy would often tell her family how much she appreciated staff such as Nancy, Alma, Lyra, Sunjata, and so many others and how they made her feel at home. Dot enjoyed many lovely evenings sitting on her patio with her neighbors Fran, Joe, and Joanne. Arbour Trails had many amazing activities including painting, music, and wine tasting that Dot enjoyed. A lovely note to her from her friends in Ontario remembered her as vibrant, spunky - and a welcome and engaging dinner companion who will be much missed. Her friend and neighbour Phyllis, a pianist, loved her enthusiasm and dancing while Phyllis played.
In her final days and evenings with family, Dorothy spoke for hours on end about her youth, her university life and friends passed before her. The wonderful times over the years with family were a constant source of stories and laughter. Looking through pictures - she fondly recalled and missed her trusted beagle Frisky who was a great comfort and companion. Dorothy spent her last few days talking with family and singing - a personal favorite was singing along with Louis Armstrong and “Hello Dolly” - and the joy of her singing, smiling and dancing to that song will live with her family and friends forever.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Canadian Red Cross would be appreciated by the family. Donation cards are available at Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home (519-821-5077).