Davidson, Dorothy Helen Kirby
(nee: Marler)
1918 - 2005
Peacefully at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Monday, May 9, 2005.
Dorothy will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered as a warm, generous and gracious person, by her proud family: her three loving sons, Bill, Toronto, ON (grandchildren Namowan and Andrea, and great-granddaughter Jaden); Brian, Burlington (grandson Danny and great-grandchildren Gabriel, Samuel and Olivier); and Bruce, Edmonton, AB (granddaughter Tera); brother Monte, Gibson’s, BC; sisters Josephine, Toronto, ON and Diana, Comox, BC; many nieces and nephews; and countless wonderful friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Gordon Kirby, whom she married in 1940 and who passed away in Courtenay, BC, January 1, 1956; and her second husband Alexander Davidson, whom she married in 1959 and who passed away in Courtenay, BC, July 21, 1989.
Dorothy was born in Vancouver July 19, 1918 and was educated at Crofton House, Vancouver. She was active in sports throughout her life, a champion tennis player, and an accomplished golfer and bowler. She loved traveling, and visited many locations throughout the world.
She was actively involved in John’s Anglican Church, Courtenay, and was a long time member of Glacier View Lodge Auxiliary, and the Filberg and d’Esterre Seniors Centres, spending long hours visiting friends in extended care.
She was also a dedicated Life Member of the Soroptimist Club International, serving as a past Governor of the Western Region, a Director of the Soroptimist Foundation of Canada, and with her particular interest in youth, served as regional chair of the Youth Citizenship Awards Committee. While she would be proud of these accomplishments, she would also be pleased to be remembered for her years of work, making, promoting and selling the annual Soroptimist Club of Courtenay Christmas puddings (which gained a national reputation).
After spending 46 years in Courtenay, BC, Dorothy moved to Toronto in 2002 to be close to sons Bill and Brian, and was residing at the O’Neill Centre Retirement Residence at the time of her passing.
A Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, May 9 at St. Matthews Anglican Church, Etobicoke, ON, with Cremation and private Interment at St. James Cemetary, Toronto, on May 13, 2005.
Donations in Dorothy’s memory may be made to the Soroptimist Foundation of Canada.