Obituary of Dorothy Cathelene Gillies

GILLIES: Dorothy Cathelene (neé Cardno) Gillies passed away on Sunday, March 25, 2018 at Valleyview Personal Care Home at the age of 87 years. Dorothy was born on January 1, 1931 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was predeceased by her parents Alexander and Cathalene (Seal) Cardno, husband Walter, son Bob, grandson-in-law Jason Schaffer, sisters Helen (Dick) Boberg, Mildred Ricci (Dick Myers) and brother–in-law Allen Dunn, parents-in-law Jim and Agnus (Mabon) Gillies, Tena and Jack Trotter, Murray and Francis Gillies, Hughie and Inez Gillies. Dorothy is survived by her sister Jean Dunn (Leo Dozois), daughter Kathie and Russell Thompson, granddaughter Angela Thompson and her children Tyler and Ashley Schaffer, daughter-in-law Colleen (Chambers) Gillies, granddaughter Jody (Leighton) Penner and their children Sophia and Mya, grandson Chris (Chelsey) Gillies and their children Ray Lynne, Taya and Brady. Dorothy and her sisters attended Geddes school in Alonsa, Manitoba. The four girls enjoyed singing and playing guitars. At an early age Dorothy was often called upon to help out neighbours and family when they needed an extra hand. At the age of 15, Dorothy accompanied her older sisters Helen and Jean to Winnipeg, where she worked various housekeeping jobs, at a candy factory and at a hospital nursery. In the early 1950's, word was received that a family of three brothers from the Neelin area were in need of a housekeeper as their mother was passing away. Although Dorothy was very shy and had never been too far away from her sisters, she bravely boarded a bus to Baldur, Manitoba where she was met by Murray and Walter Gillies. Dorothy worked for the brothers for awhile and then a short stint with the Cooper family of Neelin, before returning to the Gillies homestead. Dorothy became Mrs. Walter Gillies on March 22, 1952. Walter and Dorothy worked side by side on a mixed farm of grain, pigs, chickens, cows etc. Together they raised two children Kathleen Fay, born on April 10, 1953 and Robert Walter (Bob) born on November 18, 1955. Dorothy had a huge garden and beautiful flowers. She was also an active member in the Neelin community, contributing to all the event that the small, but busy community had to offer. Dorothy was an amazing cook, and everything was raised and made fresh on the farm. Although she worked tirelessly alongside Walter doing farm chores there was always a hot meal, often homemade bread and cinnamon buns. Dorothy loved to sew and knit. All the new babies had homemade sweaters and blankets. Kathie was always dressed in the latest fashions due to Dorothy's sewing skills. Walter and Dorothy loved to go dancing and play card games with their friends. After Walters passing, Dorothy moved to Killarney, where she enjoyed coffee dates with her friends. She continued her lovely flowers, knitting, camping and took up the art of painting. She painted nature scenes on cream cans, saw blades and then moved her artistic skills on to canvases. Many of her items were sold at craft sales, and some were even purchased by German soldiers to send back home as souvenirs of Canada. A few years after Bob's death on December 10, 1997 Dorothy decided to move to Brandon to be closer to family. Dorothy moved to Kin Village where she enjoyed social events with the other residents. With her failing health and the tragic death of Angela's partner, Jason Schaffer on December 9, 2013, Dorothy eventually moved to Valleyview Personal Care Home where she enjoyed many activities and was thankful for their love and concern. A Celebration of Dorothy's Life will be held at Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332 8th Street on Monday, April 16, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Craig Miller officiating.