Dora Pereversoff was born on June 25th, 1913 in Grand Forks, in the Doukhobor Sion Community, by Spencer Hill, in the Horkoff village, to the family of Ivan and Malasha Pereversoff. Malasha’s maiden name was Popoff. She was the second child of a family of six children – sisters; Polly, Florence and brothers, John, Pete and Nick.
Soon after her birth the family moved up the North Fork Area, to the Doukhobor community of Cidoroyoe, which means “Valley of the Cedars”, where they lived for several years. Then they moved to the community Christovoye, loosely translated, meaning “Place of Jesus”. This area was later referred to as the outlook District. Their family settled in the upper village, not too far from Saddle Lake. In their village lived the families of Lazeroff, Gretchen, Borisenkoff, Markin, Kootnekoff and Makortoff, and that is wherae basically Dora grew up and received her upbringing.
Dora never attended any English speaking school and the Russian language she learned from within the family and the community. Mostly at that time people of the Doukhobor faith spoke only Russian.
In 1960s, when the former Christian community of Universal Brotherhood lands were resold, Dora with her brother Peter bought some land on Outlook road, where they built themselves a home and lived there for 50 years until they both moved into Hardy View lodge in Oct. of 2012. In her younger years, Dora worked a little in the Okanagan valley, in the fruit and vegetable fields and also worked in several hotels in Grand Forks as a cleaning lady. For most of her young life and into adulthood Dora took care of the home and garden. She looked after the chickens and milking cows. Also in her time, she learned how to sew, knit and quilt from her mother, sisters and ladies in the village. Dora was dedicated to the Doukhobor way of life. She had a beautiful singing voice and knew by heart many verses of hymns and psalms. In her younger years she attended their community youth meetings, which were held two times a week through seasons of fall, winter, and spring.
For 26 years Dora lived in the era of the Christian community of Universal Brotherhood and afterwards she was a life-long member of the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ. In their home the photos of the various Doukhobor leaders were displayed on their counters and mantle, which they truly cherished. She was dedicated to the Doukhobor faith and lived a modest, simple, Christian life.
In July of this year, a 100th birthday party was held for Dora at the Hardy View lodge, where relatives, staff and friends gathered to congratulate her and see that she had adjusted well and was content with her life at the lodge. Some two weeks ago Dora’s health deteriorated considerably and on Wednesday afternoon Aug 14th, 2013, she peacefully passed away. Dora was predeceased by her parents; Ivan and Malasha, her sisters, Polly Makortoff and Florence Poohachoff, who passed away several days earlier than Dora; her brothers John and Nick. She is survived by her brother Peter Pereversoff, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Dora will be sadly missed by all and may God accept her soul into his heavenly kingdom. May she rest in peace! A funeral took place Monday Aug 19, 2013 at the USCC community centre with burial at Sion cemetery Grand Forks, Mr Jerry Seminoff officiating. The family wishes to thank those for attending and kind words. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Everett Baker of Grand Forks Funeral Home gffh@shaw.ca.