Dorothy Viola Moore

After living almost 95 years, Dorothy Viola Moore passed away peacefully in Ponoka, Alberta on January 30, 2018. Her later years were spent in an unwinnable battle with dementia. Dorothy is predeceased by her husband Hal, sisters Ethel, Edith, and Marj, and brothers Cliff and Bobby. Dorothy leaves behind her children Marilyn (Tony), Darryl, and Elaine (Blair); her grandchildren David (Gjenna), Phil (Monica), Samantha (Mike), Scott (Sarah), and Alexandra (Dan); her great grandchildren Jack, Charley, and Emma; and her siblings June, Jackie, and Harry.

Dorothy was the first child born on the Atkinson homestead north of Springwater, Saskatchewan. Because many children were born at home, the registration of the birth required a ‘trip to town’ usually by the father and usually involving socializing (read: a bit of drinking). Often these trips resulted in ‘mistakes’ on the birth registration. Dorothy grew up thinking her name was ‘Dorothy Viola’ only to find out after applying for a copy of her birth certificate later in life that she had been registered as ‘Dorothy Marguerite’.

Dorothy was the eldest of 9 children. They spent happy times on the farm. Dorothy’s youth was spent in the Springwater area. She graduated from high school and went on to Normal School in Saskatoon with her life long friend Bette Atkinson. She taught at Oskaloosa , Saskatchewan where she met Hal. She spent many years in Saskatchewan and later lived in Edmonton. Her retirement was spent in Ponoka and Springwater.

Mom was a woman of strong political convictions who truly believed in social safety nets, universal health care, and that equality is a stand alone word. It was hard to beat a home cooked meal of Dorothy’s. She was an avid reader, crocheted many doilies in her day and she could tell a good story.

Dorothy’s family is eternally grateful to the staff at the Ponoka Long Term Care Facility. To say thank you seems inadequate. Your facility became Dorothy’s final home. Thank you to Dr. Robert Halse for his care of Dorothy over the years and for his patience in dealing with the ‘nurse daughter’. Thank you to Dr. Rick Barr who came to the facility to assess our Mom. It would have been a nightmare if we had to transport Mom to the office. Thank you to the Ponoka Funeral Home for their assistance with the final arrangements.

Mom’s heart was always in Springwater. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to Springwater Community Hall (c/o Louise Hawkins, Box 35, Springwater, Sask, SOK 4E0). Mom was a supporter of Santa’s Anonymous, never wanting to see a child without a gift at Christmas. Consider putting a gift donation in the Santa’s Anonymous box (or something similar) with Dorothy in mind next Christmas. A service will be held in Saskatchewan at a future date.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorothy Viola Moore, please visit our floral store.