Dorothy Elizabeth Hawthorne

Dorothy Elizabeth Hawthorne (nee Baldwin) was born on April 26, 1944 the first child of Evelyn and Fred Baldwin of Toronto. At the time of her birth Fred was in the Canadian Army, stationed at Camp Borden. He was not permitted to travel to Toronto until a week later. Dorothy liked to repeat the story as told to her later in life that she had a lot of dark black hair and her dad was worried that they could not find a bonnet to fit her.

Eventually the war ended and like many others Fred returned to civilian life and it appeared that this little family could look forward to a happy future. Alas, this was not to be. A few years later a second little girl, Barbara, was born into the family and two years later a boy, Bruce, joined them. Dorothy enjoyed playing with the younger children, and all were happy. However as time passed it became apparent that Barbara was not able to do all the things that other children her age could do. It became necessary to seek expert medical advice. On the day of the Santa Claus Parade that year, Fred took Dorothy and Bruce to see the parade and then over to the hospital to get the results of the tests on Barbara from the specialist. Standing there with Bruce in his arms and Dorothy beside him, he was told that they believed Barbara had a rare incurable disease and that it was likely Bruce and any subsequent children would suffer from it also. This grim prediction came true. The disease didn’t affect Dorothy, but the loss of Barbara and Bruce changed the family for the rest of their lives.

Life goes on. In 1958 Dorothy attended George Harvey Vocational School on Keele Street in Toronto and in Spring 1959 on the Rogers Road streetcar she met the boy she would later marry. As she told the story, “he threw his books at me”. Hugh always said that as he was standing and she was seated he gave her his books to hold.

After the Summer hiatus, school started In the Fall of 1959 and Hugh would board the Rogers Road streetcar at Spadina and St. Clair hoping that Dorothy would board the streetcar at Glenholme and Oakwood. It was amazing how often ‘by chance’ these two young people would meet on the streetcar. She later called it “a streetcar named desire”.

After a first date on February 3, 1960 to the Ice Follies they developed a relationship that would last for more than 63 years.

Hugh worked as a laboratory technician at C.I.L paints for two years and attended night-school before being accepted into the four year Chemical Engineering program at the University of Toronto. Throughout the six years Dorothy encouraged Hugh in his educational pursuits and on September 3, 1966 they were married. Married life was good. Hugh was accepted into the graduate school at U of T and with enough financial support combined with Dorothy’s salary they managed to have a normal life.

In May 1968 a beautiful little girl, Nancy Jean, was born to them but once again tragedy struck as she was still-born. She was buried in Prospect Cemetery Toronto in same grave as Dorothy’s Grammy Drew. In 1969 and 1971 they were blessed with two wonderful little boys, Chris and Daniel, and in 1972 they bought a house in Brampton close to Brampton Church of the Nazarene where their lives changed forever. In 1974 after renewing their faith in Jesus they became involved with many other couples serving the Lord. Hugh drove one of the big red church Sunday school buses picking up children and Dorothy taught Sunday School before they became deeply involved together in youth ministries. Dorothy’s ability as a cook was well known and many people had Sunday dinner at the Hawthorne’s. On Saturday nights it was not uncommon for Hugh to emerge from watching the hockey game to find the dining room table set and preparations begun for company the next day. When Hugh would ask who was coming to dinner Dorothy would reply ‘I don’t know until I go to church’. Those were good days and years and life continued with its joys and heartbreaks. They were blessed under the ministries of Rev. Charles Grant, Rev. Ross Cribbis, Rev. Reg Graves, Rev. Larry Chovancek, Revs. Tammy and Terry Hudson, and today Rev. Ann Halyburton. Dorothy’s door was always open and the coffee pot on when she would listen to her pastors’ and sometimes minister to the pastors rather than they to her. They knew she could be trusted.

In 2015 Dorothy was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease which gradually decreased the ability of her lungs to provide her with the oxygen needed to live a normal life. After going on oxygen therapy she was able to build up the oxygen in her lungs but even small exertions would cause her to lose the ability to perform even small tasks. She and Hugh worked together to give her close to a normal life but it became apparent she could not continue. On Sunday June 13th while together they moved her along with her walker she fell and passed away very quickly.

She is now with her Saviour in Heaven with no more oxygen needed, no more difficulty breathing, waiting for those she loved to join her.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Samuel ‘Hugh’ Hawthorne, her sons Christopher and Daniel (Kristjana), and her grandsons Jackson, Samuel, Joshua, Joseph and David.

She was a woman whose life touched many and were bettered through her friendship, counsel and love. She will be missed by many, but by her beloved most of all.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.andrewscommunityfuneralcentre.com for the Hawthorne family.