Dorothy Marie Turnbull (nee Davis)
On Sunday, March 8th, loving mother, sister, and friend Dorothy Turnbull went to be with her Lord and Saviour in heaven. She was 74 years old.
Dorothy, or ‘Dot’ as she was known by many, was born to Mary and Leonard Davis of Edmonton Alberta. She was baptized on April 7th, 1946 at the First Presbyterian Church in Edmonton. She enjoyed music and took piano lessons when she was quite young, a talent that would remain over the years. Dorothy made many friends at the nearby school and often had both friends and neighbours over for play. She attended Sunday school and church on a regular basis. The nearby school two blocks away was closed, so Dorothy ended up at two different schools, both long distances to walk and the attendant challenge of making new friends. She adjusted to these challenges well, a trait that persisted throughout her life.
In 1964 Dot attended the Balfour Technical School in Regina where she received awards for her typing and shorthand skills and completed a secretarial program. In 1965 Dot started work at MLT Law Firm and excelled in her secretarial duties, a loyal and dedicated employee, a friend to all, and active in MLT events. During this time she made many lifelong friends, especially Fern Stone, whose friendship endured over many miles and 54 years. Their friendship started the first day they met at MLT in 1966. For 14 years Dot and Fern curled at the Tartan Club and joined Tartan Ladies Spring five pin bowling club. They travelled by car many summers from Regina to Calgary, Banff, Kelowna, and Portland, OR, making many memories never to be forgotten.
In 1973 Dot attended night classes at the University of Saskatchewan Regina where she completed a legal secretarial course. There she met the love of her life, Colin Turnbull, and they were married on October 5th, 1974. At Colin and Dot’s wedding, Fern was Dot’s maid of honour.
Dot and Colin moved to Prince George in 1980 when Colin accepted a position with the school board as a computer systems specialist. Here their son Cameron was born. When Dot moved her friendship with Fern, and many other close and important relationships, endured by telephone and letter.
The family packed up from Prince George in 1988 and moved to Kelowna where Colin could further his studies in accounting and Dorothy could be closer to her parents Mary and Len who lived down the road. Dorothy loved the Okanagan for its ability to further her love of gardening and growing flowers and food alike. Her gardens were ambitious and she took great pride in this work that allowed her to feed her family fresh food that she grew herself.
After Colin finished his schooling the family once again packed up and moved to Whitehorse to support his career with the Yukon Government in 1992. Dorothy worked as an administrative clerk for the RCMP during this time. Her and Colin joined the Church of the Northern Apostles and were very active members of the community, forming many special friendships. Both had a strong and enduring faith in the Lord and a love of sharing His message through their musical talents. Together they led the church singing group with a special passion, often hosting the weekly singing practices at their house much to the chagrin of their now teenage son Cam. Dot also continued her work in the garden in a much colder and darker environment. She would start seeds in February, grow peppers, tomatoes and other veggies in her greenhouse, and took great pride in her rock and flower garden that she employed her husband to scavenge rocks and build under her careful direction. When Colin was diagnosed with cancer in 1999, Dot stood by him and cared for him through his treatments until he went to be with the Lord in 2001.
In 2002, Fern arrived in Whitehorse to help Dot pack, and they drove from Whitehorse to Red Deer so that Dot could be closer to her extended family and her son Cam who was attending the University of Calgary at the time. She took a trip to Scotland to visit the Turnbull sites with her friend Jane Clausen (Kelowna), volunteered playing the piano at various senior’s homes, and reconnected with family, spending time with aunt Lyla out on the farm. She also put great effort into creating yet another amazing garden at her new home in Red Deer to tend and enjoy. At each new home over the decades Dot invited Fern to come to visit. Fern travelled many miles to visit Dot and her family in Prince George, Kelowna, Whitehorse and Red Deer.
After several years in Red Deer Dorothy’s health started to fail and she received a lot of help and care from family, especially Dianne and Debbie. Her son Cam helped her moved out of her house and into supportive housing in Red Deer, and shortly after he again helped Dot to move to Trail BC to be closer to him. Here she became a resident at Chateau Manor where she formed new relationships and took up playing the piano for the residents every Monday with the encouragement of her friend and care worker Tara. She heartily enjoyed playing Bingo at the Chateau, had many a laugh with her friend Eddie “Tortellini”, attended many family dinners and events with the Brandvolds in Rossland, and enjoyed regular visits from her grand-dog Harvey who she always saved peanut butter cookies for. Dot was always a Riders fan and would never miss a game on TV. Fern, still living in Regina, went to Riders games regularly, and so there were many phone calls after games. Every winter and in the last few weeks, Dot and Fern’s telephone conversations were about curling, the Scotties, Brier and World’s, and everything else they could always talk about. They were friends forever, spending time together on the telephone. Dot was also frequently visited and helped by her cousin Gladys. Gladys assisted Dot to attend church as often as she was able. Dot continued to receive visits from Pastor Kai of the Peace Lutheran Church until the time of her passing.
Dot was predeceased by her husband, Colin Turnbull, and their babies Sonny and Eve, her parents Mary and Len Davis, her sister Linda Davies, her sister-in-law Anne and brother-in-law Geb Fritzler.
Dot is lovingly remembered by her son, Cameron Leonard Turnbull (Rachel Brandvold), her brother Denis Davis (Dee) and his children Anne-Marie (Sean) and Paul (Cindy) and their families; her nieces Deborah (Gordon) and Virginia (Greg), and her nephew Trevor (Danette) and their families; her cousin Gladys, who gave her so much support since her move to Trail, Rachel’s family in Rossland, and all of the friends she made at the Chateau Manor in Trail.
A graveside ceremony will be held at the family plot in Govan, Saskatchewan. Service details will be posted once confirmed.
Donations in memory of Dorothy may be made to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, or the Canadian Diabetes Association.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Dorothy Marie Turnbull March 8th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Trail, Province: Colombie britanique