Dorothy was born in MacTier, Ontario on February 11, 1924. She spent little time there before her family moved her to North Bay, Ontario where she spent all of her childhood and much of her adult life. She was a very proud woman who took pride in her family and put much due care and attention into raising her children and assisting her husband in running a successful home business in the insulation/construction industry (Simmons Insulation & Construction Co.) For many years, along with helping with the family business, Dorothy ran a busy household that provided board and housing for many students from the local teacher's college. She also volunteered with the altar guild for St. Brice's Church taking on the responsibility of ironing/mending their linens for 40+ years.
Dorothy was a dear mother to Clement Simmons (Marsha - Deceased Dec. 2020) of North Bay, Ontario and Barb Gibson (Todd) of Courtenay, British Columbia. Dorothy endearingly cherished her 5 grandchildren. Bonnie Brady (David), Pamela Goodchild (Gordon), Kathleen Westbury (David), Tara Laderoute (Andre) and Carter Gibson (Dione) respectively. She also bragged regularly about her great grandchildren Kyle and Emily Brady, Alex and Sarah Goodchild, Parker and Gavin Westbury, Cabe (Halley), Nolan (Atayia) and Brody Laderoute as well as Arriana (Connor) and Roslyn(Tyler) Gibson. The apple of her eye in her last year of life was her great great granddaughter Noah Rae Laderoute.
Dorothy is to be commended for living into her 100th year. She had all of her wits about her until her last day and would share all of the changes she had experienced in the world during her time here. She did her best to change with the times and was open-minded and up for conversation about any matter that the world was struggling with at the time.
"Dorothy, you were so looking forward to getting a letter from the Queen, now King. Instead, you have been given the opportunity to meet the Queen. Pull up a chair and enjoy a cup of tea. Give our love to Ron and Marsha. Until We Meet Again"
Dorothy was reunited with her husband at Forest Lawn Cemetery on September 27, 2023 at a private graveside memorial with her immediate family present.
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