Dorothy Hilda Reid

She was predeceased by her husband Bill in May of 1986 and her sister Emily Griffin of Fort Langley in April 1997.

She is survived by her three children, David (Marian) Reid of Abbotsford, Lynda (Bob) Wiebe of Abbotsford and Brian (Jeannie) Reid of Vernon as well as her sister Miriam (Alan) Ruttan of Cultus Lake. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Anna, Amanda, Sharman, Colin, Stewart, Erin, Lindsay and Kimberley as well as great grandchildren, Brandon, Jade, Jorram, Avalon, Anna and Ava.

Dorothy was born on June 1, 1924 to Hilda and Fred Leary and had a happy childhood in Chilliwack. In her teens she was involved in some sports as well as with the Young Peoples Group at the United Church. She spent the summers at the family cottage at Cultus Lake and worked at the Pavilion there as well as for a few summers she took the train to work at a lodge at Alta Lake at what is now Whistler.

Dorothy received her teaching certificate at Vancouver Normal School in 1946 and then taught school at Central and Sardis Elementary.

She met Bill while roller skating at Cultus Lake and they were married on June 30th, 1951. They spent four happy years living at the little cottage at Cultus while they both worked. They then moved to New Westminster for three years where they adopted the three children. Then it was the big move in October of 1959 when they moved to Terrace where Bill had a job as the new Tax Assessor. They raised the family in Terrace, Dorothy substitute taught occasionally while the children grew up. She was very involved with the ladies groups at the United Church often leading the groups. She had to return to work full time in 1971 as Bill had health issues and could no longer work. That was a very difficult time for her but she persevered. Dorothy and Bill moved back to Chilliwack in Aug. of 1976 and she taught full time at Strathcona Elementary until her retirement in 1985.

After Bill passed away she volunteered at Parkholm Lodge as well as the Chilliwack Museum. She was also very involved with Carmen United Church as well as the United Empire Loyalist Group in Chilliwack. Dorothy loved to travel and took many trips with Jackson Tours. She also loved to sew, knit and spend time in her beautiful gardens and with family and friends. She took great pride in her person as well as her home. One of her greatest joys was to spend time at Cultus Lake.

It was difficult to see her struggle with the Dementia after being such a vibrant lady but the staff at Cascade Lodge gave her loving care and treated her with great respect. They all said they were going to miss her feisty-ness. The family, especially Lynda, is eternally grateful to them.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at 2pm on Friday, January 2nd at Henderson’s Funeral Home, 45901 Victoria Avenue, Chilliwack, B.C.