Dorothy Grace Perrault

It is with a profound sense of loss and sadness that we announce the passing of Dorothy Grace Perrault (nee Bowling) at 84 years of age. Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, auntie, and friend will be forever missed by her children, Maretta Perrault, Deborah (Tim Babey) Elliott, Gina (Ken) McPherson, Joe (Tammy) Perrault, and her “adopted” son Walter (Lisa) Brennen; as well as her grandchildren, Christine Beaugrand, Darcy (Becky) Edinger, Alexandra Diakowski, Johnny Elliott, Jessie Elliott, Byron Perrault, Kira (Evan) Wingrove, Dylan Perrault, Cole Perrault, and Alison (Martin) Brennen-Pierce. She was proud of having seven great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Shekinah Beaugrand. Kayla, Danielle, Brooklyn and Alyssa Edinger, and Arden Wingrove. She will be sorely missed by her brother Jim (Colleen) Bowling; sister Barbara (David) Ferguson; and sister-in-law Janet McGregor (nee Perrault). Dorothy loved her numerous nieces, nephews, and her many wonderful friends. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Clarence, in 2016, her sister, Beth Brennen in 1971, her granddaughter Joan Brennen in 2003, her son-in-law Russ Elliott in 1998, her brother-in-law Jack McGregor, and niece Diane Heerink (nee Bowling) in 2007. Dorothy leaves a legacy of kindness, gentleness, love, fairness, laughter and fun.

Dorothy was the third of four children born to Walter and Marion Bowling, on January 18, 1934 in North Vancouver. She enjoyed her life fully and after graduation together with her sister, Beth, went to work at Tranquille, a T.B. sanatorium outside of Kamloops, where she became a nurse’s aide. She met and married Clarence Perrault in 1955, the love of her life. They lived in Red Deer for a short time, and then moved to Calgary where they settled and raised their family. In 1971 she began her career first as a school bus driver then advanced to driving a wheelchair bus at the Carewest facility where she would delight in taking the elderly and disabled residents out on day trips. These trips included, to name a few, a drive in the countryside, a visit to see farm animals, fishing trips, Christmas shopping, lunch at the mall… This is where her passions for both caring for people and driving bus merged… She loved this job until 72 years of age.

Dorothy was also very passionate and proud of her grandchildren and would attend every concert, school play, hockey game, basket ball game, baseball game, rugby game and would often be recognized on the side lines of sporting events as grandma to everyone. She was happiest at family events and gatherings though, sitting back and taking in the action of her kids and grand kids all around her… this was her GLORY!

Dorothy leaves a wonderful legacy of kindness, gentleness, love, fairness, sincerity, laughter and fun, Yahtzee games, crib games, coffee, tea, and birthday parties, the Old Crocks Club and Jeopardy! But she is best remembered for her open door where everyone was made to feel very welcome in her home.

The family would sincerely like to thank the doctors and many wonderful physiotherapists and nurses at the Rockyview Ambulatory Care Facility.

A Celebration of Dorothy’s Life will be held at McGivney Hall at St. Mary’s University, (14500 Banister Road S.E.), on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, for those wishing to do so may make a donation in Dorothy’s memory directly to Cystic Fibrosis Canada, (2323 Yonge Street, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, M4P 2C9).