Dorthy Jane Fox

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dorthy Fox, age 91, who died peacefully on September 15, 2026, at Royal Inland Hospital, with family by her side. She knew the end was near and wanted to say goodbye to her family. Dorthy was a longtime resident of Pritchard, BC, where she lived for 69 years, until her passing.

She was predeceased by her parents, Henry and Nellie Van Boeyen; her parents-in-law, Lew and Eva Fox; her sister-in-law, Betty; her brother-in-law, John Anderson; her husband, Lewis “Bud” Fox; and her grandson, Robert Lewis Haugland.

Dorthy was born in Vancouver, BC, the eldest of four children, and grew up in Haney, BC. After Grade 10, she began working as a telephone operator in New Westminster. She moved to Kamloops in 1957 and continued working for the telephone company until she married Bud that June and moved to his family’s ranch.

Dorthy embraced country living, even though the ranch had no power, running water, or indoor plumbing until 1958. As a ranch wife, she cooked, cleaned, sewed clothes, and made sure everyone had what they needed. She also helped on the farm, taking meals to the field, stacking hay, branding, helping with calving, and more. She quietly and effectively managed the household while raising their three children: Louise, born in 1962; Patricia, born in 1965; and James, born in 1966. For 16 years, Dorthy drove the children to and from the school bus in all weather. She was the glue that held everything together.

Dorthy was an active member of the community from its early days. She and Bud were among the three or four couples who started the Pritchard Community Association. Dorthy was a valued member of the Pritchard Ladies Auxiliary for many years, volunteering in the kitchen at spring and fall bazaars, at rodeo concessions, and wherever the auxiliary’s help was needed. She also spent many hours helping to write the Pritchard history book, Pursuit of Memories, by providing content, proofreading, and editing.

Dorthy welcomed her first grandchild, Rae/Christa, in 1989. More grandchildren followed: Sara in 1989; Amaris in 1991; Daniel in 1992; Gilead in 1995; Robert in 2003; Brayden in 2006; Eva-Marie in 2007; and Lewis in 2008. Dorthy loved every one of her grandchildren and cherished her time with them. She played with them, took them on walks to the “big rock,” and made sure they were well fed with homemade meals, cakes, and cookies whenever they visited. Everyone left full of food and love.

After Bud’s retirement in 1989, they travelled through BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario to visit family and friends, and to Oregon to watch rodeos. Dorthy and her sisters took a “sisters’ holiday” every year until travelling became a challenge. Most were road trips, with each sister taking a turn organizing the trip and providing transportation, though they also enjoyed one cruise together.

Dorthy is survived by her sisters, Pat (John) and Marjorie (Joe); her brother, Victor; her daughters, Louise and Patricia (Ray); her son, James; her grandchildren, Rae/Christa, Amaris, Daniel, Gilead, Sara, Brayden, Eva-Marie, and Lewis; and her sister-in-law Chris Van Boeyen.

Thank you to the wonderful care aides and staff at Chase Home Health, whose dedication and care allowed Dorthy to live at home until the end. Thank you also to the friends, neighbors, and family who visited her over the years and made her days less lonely.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pritchard Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship Fund. A donation basket will be set up at the Pritchard Hall for cash or cheques can be made out to Pritchard Ladies Group Society.

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