Dorothy (Dot) Eldean Williams passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 16, 2013 after a lengthy illness at the Hardyview Manor, Grand Forks, B.C. Dot was born November 2, 1928 in Westerose, Alberta to Carl and Ebba Hagen. Dot met her husband Bob (Robert) Williams in Calgary and they married on February 15, 1952. They were able to celebrate their 61st anniversary together.
Shortly after they married, the two of them moved to Fon du Lac, Saskatchewan where she was blessed with two children – Laurie and Carl. In 1958, they moved to Dawson City, Yukon where Jacqui was born. The Yukon was their home until 1971 when another opportunity presented itself in Yellowknife. They retired to Christina Lake, B.C. in 1983 and lived in their dream home with further moves to Winfield, B.C., Grande Prairie, A.B., Salmon Arm, B.C. and finally to Red Deer where they made their permanent home.
Dot was a socialite in her time and enjoyed nothing more than a good game of bridge. With her competitive edge she excelled at curling, enjoyed square dancing and was up for any challenge presented to her. Her early days were isolating but again, she rose to the occasion. When freeze-up came, they were without mail for 3 months, receiving 9 bags of mail on December 23. There were letters, Christmas cards, parcels and newspapers. Her last contact with anyone from the south was the supply boat in the fall. Eggs and oranges were a real treat. She said she baked the best bread out of a wood cook stove. Each spring, the health nurse would arrive and Dot would heat water for her while she washed the heads of the local natives on their veranda.
She was a pioneer for women headed north and paved the way for others. With her humble farm beginnings she learned how to raise a fabulous garden and grow flowers where none had grown before. The pantry was always stocked with home canning. Her and her children’s wardrobe boasted of home sewn clothing which she updated as the seasons changed. Her invitations for coffee always included home-baked cookies or cakes.
She made time for people in her life and afforded each and everyone she touched a lending ear, advice if it was called for or just a laugh or two. Mom, you will be missed.
She was predeceased by her parents, Carl and Ebba Hagen, and husband Bob. She is survived by her sisters – twin sister Doris (Ted Knowles), Bernice (Norm Lund), Marion Dietrich, Joyce (Al Carder), Darlene (Leo Fontaine), brothers Charlie – “Chubby” Hagen (Sylvia) and Kels Hagen (Gertie). Her children – Laurie (Russ Esson), Carl Williams (Mary Ann) and Jacqui (Darby Reber) as well as grandchildren Dayna, Brad, Blair, Cheryl, Joe, Cole, Garret and Drew and one great-granddaughter, Abby.
A celebration of life with be held in the near future at Christina Lake, B.C. Donations in Dorothy’s name are gladly accepted to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada: Alzheimer Society of Canada, 20 Eglinton Avenue West, 16th Floor, Toronto, ON, M4R 1K8
The family would like to thank the nurses and those that tended to mom’s needs and for the care and support they offered to her and us. Arrangements entrusted to Deborah Baker of Grand Forks Funeral Home gffh@shaw.ca