Dorothy Dot Rose Keeping Porter

Age 87; of Lake Echo passed away at home May 13, 2015. She is predeceased by her loving husband Sheldon and her great grand daughter Emily in infancy. Dorothy is survived by her 8 children, 16 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and her beloved Maggie. Memorial services will be held in A. L. Mattatall Funeral Home, 217 Portland St., Dartmouth, on May 29, 2015 at 11:00. Rev. Patricia Malin officiating. Burial to take place at a later date. Following the service Dorothy’s family would like to invite you to a reception at the Lake Echo Community Centre, 3168 Hwy 7, Lake Echo. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Canadian Cancer Society.

Eulogy for Dorothy Rose Porter

Welcome, my name is Mike LaBrash, Dorothy’s son-in-law, husband of her daughter Linda and I have been asked to give the Eulogy for Dorothy Rose Porter.

There are not many greater honours in this world that could be bestowed on a person than being entrusted with the job of reflecting on someone’s life.

Family and Friends of Dorothy. Dorothy “Dot” Porter was many things to many people – a wife, a mother, a mentor, a friend. In whatever capacity we knew her, we knew her to be kind, warm, generous, loving, caring and non-judgemental.

Dorothy was one of eleven (11) children, born Sept 14, 1927 to Maude and William Keeping at Halifax, Nova Scotia and grew up in Tuft’s Cove. Though born and brought up in Nova Scotia, Dorothy had a strong devotion to her Newfoundland roots. Any time someone mentioned that they were from Newfoundland, Dorothy would promptly let them know that that was where her father was from and if you visited Dorothy you would hear the Newfoundland jigs and reels playing in the background with her feet tapping to the music.

Dorothy met Sheldon, her future life’s partner, while working in the cafeteria of the staff houses on Barrington Street. They were married shortly thereafter on July 31, 1946.

Together they had eight (8) beautiful children and in addition Dorothy is survived by sixteen (16) grand children and fourteen (14) great grand children.

I have been asked to elaborate on her children’s fondest memories of their Mother on their behalf.

A plaque given her by one of her children and displayed on her bedroom wall depicts the many good qualities that she has gifted: strength, humour, generosity, compassion, and above all, she taught us love. These qualities will be heard again throughout this eulogy because in essence – they are what made up Dorothy.

Dorothy was a loyal, generous, devoted, and loving spouse. They had a strong marriage built on mutual respect. Of course, 8 children tended to keep Dorothy quite busy. She also had to be the disciplinarian to keep order and control in the home as Sheldon’s work often took him to distant places for long periods of time.

Dorothy also showed strength and discipline, especially when it came to chores. Just the thought of doing laundry for 10 people is a nightmare but to recall that Dorothy ironed every piece of laundry from socks to shirts and believe it or not - even underwear. And we all learned that to try to skip out on your chores could get a sibling or two sent to drag you back kicking and screaming as one family member recalled. But, once your chores were done - you were good to go.

Not only was Dorothy the primary cook and bottle washer for her own eight children and 2 adults, but also to the friends the children would often drag home at various mealtimes. There always seemed to be enough food to go around. It was revealed that the secret was the whispering to the family children the three letters “FHB” (Family Hold Back). This meant all the kids had to take a little less food on their plate and perhaps have an extra slice of bread to compensate so there would be enough to feed our unexpected guest.

It was often felt that at times Mom would do without to ensure there was enough – that was just her generous, giving heart at work.

Another fond memory was when Dorothy waxed the floors and then had the kids put on heavy wool socks and run and slide from one end of the room to the other. They had fun and she got her floors polished. Now that was pretty ingenious. The smell of floor wax still brings back fond memories for some.

But Dorothy loved Christmastime the most, and she made it magical, the smells of Christmas baking, decorations all around and especially wrapping gifts which allowed her generosity to shine through. Mom had this big smile on her face while wrapping and Dad used to say he always had a hankie ready for Mom to wipe her ears because her smile was so wide when she was wrapping gifts that she would get lipstick on her ears.

Another memory is one Christmas eve waiting for Dad to arrive home from a trip away before Santa arrived. Mom was waiting as well but us little ones didn’t know she had to shop for eight children that evening. How she must have felt, waiting for Dad’s headlights to pull into the driveway. But she worked a miracle, because we woke up to the smell of turkey cooking, stockings filled and presents under the tree. That was our Mother.

Dorothy loved to sit out by the fire in the back yard at night watching for shooting stars or satellites go overhead and making a contest out of who would see the first satellite and also who saw the most. It was a rare occasion that anyone could beat Dorothy at seeing the first satellite.

Dorothy liked other seemingly simple but very rewarding and enjoyable things offered by nature, such as, going to the beach during or just after a storm to watch the waves crashing on the rocks and shore or going for a nice drive “down east” as she and Sheldon always called it – oftentimes with a stop for a favourite treat - French fries or an ice cream cone.

Dorothy never got her driver’s licence. Well, one of the children revealed the one and only occasion that Dorothy got behind the wheel of a car which I will relate to you in their own recollection. “ We were headed to the old Dartmouth Shopping Centre driving along Victoria Road, turned down past Mount Hermen Cemetery and Dad told Mom that this was a good time for her to learn to drive. She got behind the wheel and off we went – she made the turn at the top of the hill, no problem, and started down the hill - the problem was, she never straightened out the wheels and ended up driving up onto the grass and lined up a white picket fence with the centre of the front bumper (now this fence started at the top and ended at the entrance to the shopping centre). All that could be remembered of the incident was the white pickets flying up and over the car and Dad screaming Dorothy!! Dorothy!! Stop the car. Mom slid over on the seat and all she had to say was – I don’t like to drive. The city never replaced the fence and Dorothy never got behind the wheel again.”

Another of Dorothy’s interests over the years has been the Monarchy. Anything relating to the Royal Family was her prized books, magazines, plates, and yes – dolls. This love affair was fulfilled by an overnight trip to Moncton in 2003 to see Queen Elizabeth II. Dorothy was overjoyed when the Queen passed along the walkway and stopped to accept the rose offered by Dorothy. A dream come true.

Dorothy did not have a lot of hobbies but she loved dolls and has accumulated an extensive collection which she would eagerly point out to anyone visiting. They were proudly displayed in a wall cabinet built especially for that purpose by her late husband Sheldon.

In earlier years Dorothy enjoyed gardening and still has undoubtedly one of the nicest and most adored hedges of Peonies’ in her front yard alongside her beloved Dogwood tree. Neighbours and complete strangers would stop by to enquire and marvel at their beauty.

She was a mentor too as she patiently taught the skills of how to knit and sew. It was a necessity for her but became a passion she passed on to one of her daughters in particular.

In more recent years with her mobility more impaired Dorothy spent a lot of her time indoors listening to her Newfoundland music or else watching one of her favourite DVD’s of “The Golden Girls” or “The Waltons”.

Over the years Dorothy gave freely of hugs, hospitality, food, kindness, respect, and love. A selfless person whose home turned no one away, the door was seldom locked and her heart was always open.

Regretably, the time has come to ponder and reflect upon Her hopes and expectations for each of her children and grand children. Recall those precious moments you shared together as they will bring you comfort and joy in the days and years ahead. In closing, I want to read a passage that best reflects the loving memory of Dorothy entitled, “Miss Me – But Let Me Go” - author unknown

Miss Me But Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road

and the sun has set on 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 a 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.

- Unknown

When I Look In Your Eyes

When I look in your eyes

I see the wisdom of the world in your eyes,

I see the sadness of a thousand good byes

When I look in your eyes.

…Autumn comes, summer dies,

I see the passing of the years in your eyes,

And when we part there’ll be no more tears,

No goodbyes, I’ll just look into your eyes.

Those eyes so wise, so warm, so real,

How I love the world your eyes reveal. - Leslie Bricusse

When I read this poem it reminded me so much of you mom.

Love and miss you mom - Love Patsy

Mom

We'll always remember

That special smile,

that caring heart,

that warm embrace you always gave us.

You being there for Dad and us

through good and bad times, no matter what.

We'll always remember you Mom

because there'll never be another one

to replace you in our hearts

and the love we will always have for you.

Love and miss you always mom and when ever I see

a shooting star or a satellite I will think of you. - Love Linda

* * * * * * * * * *

Porter, Dorothy Rose (Keeping)

Age 87; of Lake Echo passed away at home May 13, 2015. She is predeceased by her loving husband Sheldon and her great grand daughter Emily in infancy. Dorothy is survived by her 8 children, 16 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and her beloved Maggie. Memorial services will be held in A. L. Mattatall Funeral Home, 217 Portland St., Dartmouth, on May 29, 2015 at 11:00. Rev. Patricia Malin officiating. Burial to take place at a later date. Following the service Dorothy’s family would like to invite you to a reception at the Lake Echo Community Centre, 3168 Hwy 7, Lake Echo. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Canadian Cancer Society at: www.cancer.ca.