The family of Dorothy Louise Friesen regrets to announce her passing on November 17, 2010 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Dorothy was a breast cancer survivor for 16 years but when the disease returned, she fought on her own terms and succumbed just two days before her 50th wedding anniversary and three days from her 71st birthday.
Born Dorothy Louise Allbee in Choiceland, Sask., she was raised the youngest girl in a large prairie family. She was especially close to her twin brother Dale (Novella) of Grand Prairie and sister Leona (Phil) of Kelowna .
Dorothy moved to work as a practical nurse in Winnipeg, Man. where she met and married Dick Friesen. The couple moved west following the road construction trail, stopping briefly in Alberta to start their family. Son Keith was born in Jasper and 15 months later another son, Grant, was born in Hinton.
Shortly after, the family moved to BC, eventually settling in Salmon Arm, Ranchero district in 1967.
As well as a housewife and mother, Dorothy worked many hours in the family business started in 1971. She continued to do bookkeeping for as long as she was able.
Dorothy was very grateful to be able to travel and see some of the world when she was healthy. A trip to Europe with her sister in law Novella and friend, travelling to Portugal and Hawaii with Dick were her highlights but even short gambling junkets with Dick and friends made her happy.
She enjoyed “pulling levers” and a trip to Vernon with her friends was always something she really looked forward to.
Family and friends were what Dorothy lived for. She suffered a terrible loss when son Grant passed away suddenly in 1989 but she was extremely proud when grandson Max was born in 1994 and granddaughter Jocelyn came along in 1998.
No matter how big he gets, Max will always be her “little teddy bear” and Jocelyn will always be her “favorite girl in the world”.
Dorothy knew and always said that to go through life and have a true friend was something not to be taken for granted. For this she is to be envied because she truly had great friends.
We would like to thank Lynne and Margaret for all their support during Dorothy’s illness and for being there in her final days. Dorothy considered herself very lucky to have such good friends.
Thank you to Dr. Breugum for all the kindness and care you gave to Dorothy. She really enjoyed meeting your daughter and it made quite an impression.
To the staff at Bastion Place, you ladies were simply amazing. Dorothy was so grateful and so very relieved to be under your awesome care. We, the family are very thankful to have had all your terrific support in this trying time. Words are definitely not enough. Thank you.
Dorothy did not want a public service and as her wish, she will be cremated and her ashes interred at Mt. Ida Cemetery. A private ceremony will be held in the Spring at the gravesite of her late son Grant.
Arrangements entrusted to FISCHER’S FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORIUM LTD., Salmon Arm (250) 833-1129. Email condolences and share memories at www.fischersfuneralservices.com.