DORTHI DUNSMORE

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DORTHI DUNSMORE Eternal Spring by Dorthi Dunsmore (1993) Breathless and still, the body lies No spark remains, for it has flown Reborn, like Spring, it never dies But leaves this earth to join its own Dorthi Dunsmore (nee Dorothy Helen Berry) died peacefully at Golden Links Lodge on February 18, 2016 at age 89 surrounded by her family. Dorthi, predeceased by her husband Bill in 2009, is survived by her children Blair (Joanne), Donna and Sandra, grandchildren Jamie Bernard, Will Bernard (Hannah) and great-grandchildren Sophie, Ari and Oliver. Dorthi was born in Winnipeg on June 10, 1926 to David and Bessie Berry. In 1946, she met Bill at the Winnipeg Canoe Club and they married in 1948. She referred to her beloved husband of sixty-one years as her other half. When the children came along, Dorthi left her job at the telephones to be a full-time mother. During those years, her two passions aside from family and friends were reading and art class where she enjoyed the company and antics of her fellow art students. Although Dorthi never considered herself a great painter, in the eyes of her children her paintings are brilliant. Dorthi's creative drive was expressed in various ways throughout her life. Based on her experience as a volunteer television producer working on a program called Sunday Scope, she was hired by Videon in 1972 to develop its first public access TV station. During her seven years, at Videon, Dorthi pioneered an approach to programming founded on the idea of serving the needs of the community. In her seventies, Dorthi took up writing and well into her eighties wrote every day. Over the years her circle of friends grew as she attended writers' workshops and eventually became a proud member of the writers group Write-On. It was through her poetry that Dorthi began to share her more intimate thoughts and feelings. Dorthi always had time to listen to and laugh with her children who used every opportunity to tease her. She adored her grandchildren who looked forward to the time spent hanging out with Grandma, as well as outings to places such as the zoo and Tinker Town. Dorthi loved being a great-grandmother, and at the age of 88 joined her great-grandchildren in an unforgettable visit to the children's museum. Dorthi was a kind and gentle person with infectious good humour. She was also a woman of firm convictions known for her sincerity. Dedication to her family and friends was core to Dorthi's life. Dorthi spent four happy years at the Seine River Retirement Residence before moving to Golden Links Lodge in 2015. The wonderful staff in both places made a major contribution to the quality of Dorthi's later years. Dorthi's family is particularly grateful to the numerous individuals who cared for her over the last year. A memorial service will take place on Monday, February 22, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery). In lieu of flowers, should friends wish, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, Unit 10, 120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4G2. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 20, 2016