Dorothy Ellen Nagle

November 13,1927- October 15, 2022

I solemnly pledge myself to the service of humanity and will endeavour to practise my profession with conscience and with dignity. I will maintain, by all the means in my power, the honour and noble tradition of my profession. The total health of my patients will be my first consideration.

- The Nightingale Pledge

It is with great sadness we mourn the passing of our dearest mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many, Dorothy Ellen Nagle.

Born in Rosetown, Dorothy grew up in many small Saskatchewan communities as the career of her CPR Station Master father moved them from town to town. When Dorothy was in grade 4, they landed in Congress where she spent most of her school years. (It was during these early years that she met Clayton Nagle, her future husband.) Grade 12 wasn’t offered in Congress, so Dorothy ventured on her own to Assiniboia to complete her high school education.

Following high School, Dorothy again began a new adventure, studying for three years at the Providence Hospital in Moose Jaw, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1949. She loved her years of training where she met many of her close, life-long friends. Once again, she began a new pursuit, moving to Vancouver to work at the Vancouver General Hospital in various areas of nursing. She was reacquainted with Clayton who was finishing his pharmacy degree at UBC. As Dorothy was an only child, she wanted to be near her parents who were living in Kincaid, SK. The young couple married and moved back to Saskatchewan where she became the Matron of the local hospital and Clayton owned the local Rexall Pharmacy. Life in Kincaid gave them many friends, and eventually four children: Carol Lynn, Robert, Charlene, and Sharon.

In 1964 the family moved to Coquitlam, BC. Dorothy continued nursing, working at Valleyview Hospital as a Head Nurse and Supervisor until her retirement in 1984. She enjoyed her patients and co-workers and made many close friends. Dorothy’s nursing career was a central part of her life and identity. A special project was publishing a memoir describing the early years of medicine and nursing in the Kincaid area along with her nursing training experiences. It was in her nature to care for people. Her blind brother-in-law benefited from her dedication and support until his death this year, even while her own health was weakening.

Dorothy had many interests in life. Her greatest passions were her family, nursing, and music. She volunteered in any activity her children and grandchildren were involved in. She cared for those who needed her tenderness and took an interest in everything around her. Dorothy and Clayton enjoyed camping, (taking their children on trips to the mountains when they were young);” RV-ing,” and travelling with friends yearly to Palm Springs and Mexico. They spent as much time as they could at their recreational property, enjoying being with their children and grandchildren - always a highlight of summer.

Dorothy or “Dot,” was famous for her dinner parties and gatherings for family and friends. She was a gracious hostess, terrific cook, and baker – especially her cinnamon buns for the kids. She always included anyone that might be on their own for a holiday celebration. At a late age, she learned to write emails, engage with her family on Facebook and take pictures with her cell phone. It wasn’t just her family that received messages from Dorothy, but friends as well. She knew where modern communication was heading, and she took advantage of it to stay connected to the many lives she touched.

Dorothy loved music and shared her joy of playing the piano throughout her life. Her love of music carries on through her children, who were often part of the “family band,” which played for hospital patients. She brought pleasure to many, playing in bands, giving concerts for her patients, at family and friends gatherings, and most recently at the the Willows Independent Living, where Dorothy was a regular piano-playing celebrity, and met many new friends while living there for 3 years.

Dorothy’s biggest fans are her children: Carol, Robert, Charlene, and Sharon (Craig); her grandchildren: Maxwell, Abby, Brooke (Dan), Haylee, Clayton (Caitlin), Katie (Joe), and Justin (Rita); and great-grandchildren: Leo, Ashlyn, Sawyer, Kesler, Lincoln, and Lennox. She was predeceased by her son-in-law Don Miller in 1999, her husband and life partner, Clayton Nagle in 2001, and her good friend and companion, Ross McIIhargey in 2017.

Dorothy continued to be actively engaged with family and friends until the end of her life. She was a gracious, intelligent, and compassionate lady and lived her life with dignity. We miss her.

Dorothy Nagle

Service Friday December 16 2022

2:00 at the Burkeview Chapel

1340 Dominion Ave

Port Coquitlam BC

604-944-4128

In lieu of flowers the family would like you to consider a donation to International Vision Volunteers Canada https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/international-vision-volunteers-canada/ or another charity of your choice.