On Sept 30 2021 my mother at the age of 93, made her final farewell to be with her family in heaven.
If ever there was a women who deserves to be in heaven it is my Mother
Dorothy (Dot Perry) Finnerty 1928-2021
A woman of values, morals and integrity. A person who could always be depended upon. Never was there a lady who took better care of her home, and responsibilities. On Dec 23 1994, to quote my mom, the only man she ever loved passed way. Thomas James Finnerty.
She was often described as a tough lady when she was stricken with accidents, heart attack, stroke, broken hip, and cancer. She wasn’t tough, she was a realist and just got on with her life, no matter how compromised it had become. My parents were the original owners of the Rainbow Grill in Haileybury. They were very successful with my Moms “homemade everything!” She was affectionately known by her employees as “Hawkeye” because her eye was on everything that needed to be done. The mining students loved her specials of comfort food that included for example, Swiss steak with mashed potatoes, veg, coffee, and a dessert, all for $1.50 Her pies were famous in the area. In 1964/65 a decision was made to move to California in USA. They sold everything and when they went to see the town of Bakersfield, Mom said no, she wasn’t living in a town where you had to have water delivered to your home and Pay for it! Dad had a stop over in Vancouver BC during the war and said he thought it was beautiful…that settled it. A house was found and we were on our way.
For a couple who had never traveled further than Toronto it was a huge and brave undertaking.
My bother Garry 10, and myself 15 followed by train, what an adventure 4days and 5 nights traveling… There was a group of young soldiers slightly older than me traveling to the army base in Chilliwack.. Mom was not impressed when they showed up in Vancouver on motor cycles to visit. My younger brother Danny who was an infant and had flown with my parents.
Mom found work managing the Knight and Day Restaurant and as they expanded into a chain she did all the hiring, firing, etc. Not bad for a lady with grade eight education, What ever she put her mind to, got done…
Mom always had a project underway, I remember she wanted an archway put in our house In Haileybury, Dad always had an excuse to not get on with it. One night while he was at work she took the axe and got it started….she could have electrocuted herself, but it got done! My brother Garry mentioned it would be a good idea to have a shower in the basement, next thing we knew she had it framed, tiled, and plumbed and installed single handed. We always joked mom’s idea of a holiday would be to build a addition to the house.
Mom was the last person in her immediate family to pass. She was the youngest daughter of 8 children. Irene, Jeanette, Ethel, Jenny, Dorothy, Lloyd, Clifford, and Len. I mention them all because they were the closest family I have ever known.
The Waltons had nothing on them!Grandma, Marion Perry was widowed in her forties, her husband David age 49 was killed in a logging accident. The family continued to live in Mountain chutes until disaster struck and the house burned down, they moved to North Cobalt next door to my fathers home. There’s a cute story about my Dad getting sick of having to walk down the fence line to go and see her soooo, he installed a gate! The romance started, Dad went into the army, they were married on June 28 1948.
Today would have been their 74 wedding anniversary.
Mom is remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren and great grandchildren and of course by her children Julie, Garry and Danny.
Dot, my Mom, was an inspiration, admired by us all.
There will be a graveside celebration of life at the North Cobalt Catholic cemetery at 11:30 am June 28. A reception will be held at the Leisure Inn Haileybury after the ceremony. All are welcome to come and reminisce…
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Dorothy Dot Finnerty Thursday September 30th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Haileybury, Province: Ontario