It is with immense sadness that the family announces the passing of a dear soul, Dorothy Ann Holyk. She was an “ever loving wife” to Joe, a Mom, Grandma, Aunt, Sister-in-law, and a dear friend to many. Dorothy passed away Tuesday, April 20 just shy of her 86th birthday with her daughters by her side.
Dorothy was a generous, kind-hearted lady with a funny little sense of humor and a huge love for animals. She was the nurse you hoped for – knowledgeable and nurturing.
Dorothy was born in Selkirk, Manitoba to Williard and Margaret Kirkwood along with her older brother Murray. The family later moved to Portage la Prairie where she went to school. She followed in her Mother’s footsteps and trained to be a nurse at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg. Upon graduating in 1956 she and a colleague moved out West to Edmonton to nurse at the Edmonton General Hospital. She shared many funny and heartwarming stories during this time of her life.
In February of 1958 she agreed to a blind date and met her future husband, Joe Holyk. They were married in August of the same year. Soon after they purchased their first home in the community of Gold Bar in Edmonton where Darrell, Cheryl and Peggy were born. In 1974 the family relocated to Lamont where Joe took over the family farm. As the kids grew she felt the pull to her calling as an RN and Dorothy, along with two other friends, decided to take the nursing refresher course in Edmonton. Once she successfully completed the course she was hired as an RN at the Lamont Auxiliary Hospital and later moved to the attached Nursing Home. Dorothy loved her job and was a favorite among the patients. She retired in 1994.
Over the years Dorothy made life-long relationships while nursing and partaking in community activities.
Dorothy will be forever cherished by her husband Joe of 62 years, her son Darrell, daughters Cheryl (Andrew) Hall, and Peggy (Greg) Gibson, her treasured eight grandchildren – Justin, Amanda and Joey Holyk, Drew and Luke Hall, Emma (Johann) Guenter, Joel and Graeme Gibson. As well as three sisters-in-law, numerous nieces and nephews and her precious longtime friend Pat Jameson. She was predeceased by her parents Williard and Margaret, brother Murray Kirkwood and niece Karla Kirkwood.
We wish to express our sincere gratitude to all the caregivers who administered treatment with grace, compassion and dignity at Westview Continuing Care & Hospice in Stony Plain.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date once the pandemic restrictions ease.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the:
EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY
13620 – 163 Street, NW
Edmonton, AB T5V 0B2
780-491-3507
edmontonhumanesociety.com
Or
LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE SOCIETY
To support Palliative & Hospice Care
4405 Southpark Drive
STONY PLAIN, AB T7Z 2M7
780-962-8503
Lightupyourlifesociety.org
Miss Me But Let Me Go
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little-but not too long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me-but let me go
For this is a journey that we all must take
And each must go alone.
It’s all part of the Master’s plan
A step on the road to home
When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds
Miss me but let me go.
Serenity Funeral Service, Spruce Grove 780.962.2749
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de HOLYK Dorothy Ann April 20 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Edmonton, Province: Alberta