Dorothy Eudora Layne

April 23, 1935 - January 25, 2024

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of the heart and soul of our family. Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Dorothy Layne. She left this earth peacefully on January 25th, at the age of 88 years.

She is lovingly remembered by her son: Theron Jr and his wife Yasmin; daughter: Yasmin; grandchildren: Tiauna, Latisha, Anasteja, George, Richard and Suneeta; great grandchildren: Taariq, Theron 3rd, Taiden and Giovanna; nephews: Tyrone and Don; as well as numerous relatives and dear friends in Canada, the US and Barbados. She will also be dearly missed by her bingo mates and her zoom workout buddies, to whom she was a great inspiration.

She is predeceased by her parents: Erma and Ferdinan; sister: Marjorie; brother: Herbison; daughter: Sonia; and Theron, her loving husband of 33 years.

Dorothy was born in St. Michael, Barbados WI and was a wonderful (woman) mother who cared deeply for her family and was always there when they needed her. She didn't do this out of obligation, but (just) because that's just who she was. That was just her nature.

At a very young age Dorothy had a natural business acumen, recognizing and taking advantage of opportunities that led to her entrepreneurship as a successful and well sought after hairdresser and seamstress. In this day and age though, I think she would have been considered a "Designer". Dorothy never made her clothes from patterns, she would take your measurements, get the idea of what you want, throw the fabric on the table and just start cutting! And there you would have it, a beautiful, well fitted garment made specifically for your occasion. And to make sure you were the star of the show, she would set up you with a glamorous hairstyle to go with the outfit.

However, it wasn't all work and no play for Dorothy, she enjoyed dancing and socializing, not to mention shopping for the latest fabrics. It is on one of those shopping sprees that she met the man who would later become her husband.

She was walking in to a store as he was on his way out, their eyes met, and he couldn't help but turn around and go back in to the store to talk with her.

Staying true to her nature of wanting to provide the best for her family, when presented with the opportunity, Dorothy didn't hesitate to move to Vancouver, British Columbia. To travel alone, to a place so far away from home, where she didn't know anyone, is a testament to her courage, strength. But with her amicable personality and a smile that lit up the room, it didn't take long for Dorothy to make new friends. And being a shrewd businesswoman she was able to save and navigate the system in order to reunite her family in less than two years.

As a person who always strived to do better and to improve in every area of her life, Dorothy welcomed every opportunity to advance in her chosen career. But after many years of working at Burnaby General Hospital, Dorothy opted for early retirement to enjoy a well deserved and well earned life away from that of the 9-5 working class.

Dorothy grew to love Canada and was happy to make it her new home however, she maintained her sense of pride of being a "Bajan" and found ways to honour her heritage in her home away from home by joining the Barbados Cultural Association of BC (BCABC).

Dorothy was a dedicated and well loved, long standing member of the BCABC. Always ready and eager to lend a helping hand, she would make fish cakes and fry flying fish for various events; and of course, sell 50/50 tickets at the banquets, with two of her grandkids by her side. This is how she hoped to continue her love and pride of Barbados, for generations to come.

Always wanting to keep active, later in life, Dorothy joined the Maple Ridge Legion and participated in various activities at the Senior's Center. Up until about a month or so before her passing, despite her failing strength, she was up early doing her best with her morning workout via Zoom. Playing bingo and trips to the casino whenever possible was also something she looked forward to. Even with so much to do she still found time to do some crocheting and of course she rarely missed an episode of The Young And Restless, Jephordy, Vision TV's Time To Sing, and definitely not the James Street Methodist Church Sunday morning service on YouTube.

Towards the end, Dorothy made sure to savour every last moment, enjoying the little things she loved: black cake, manischewitz wine, and a daily in take of Tim Horton's icecap. She held on to her sense of humor too. She was always told that she needs to drink more water but in those last days she seemed to be very thirsty and always asked for water; she would follow it up with "at least you can't say I'm not drinking enough water".

Dorothy loved her children and grandchildren dearly but her great grandchildren were her shining stars and held a special spot in her heart.

Although Dorothy was a mother to 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren, many people considered her their surrogate mother/grandmother.

A Visitation at 11:00 am followed by the Funeral Service at 12:00pm will be held on February 21st, at Fraser Heights Chapel, 14835 Fraser Highway Surrey, BC V3R 3N6. We kindly ask that you incorporate purple into you attire as this was her favorite color.

A visitation will also be held on February 20th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm

To further honor Dorothy's memory, we will continue the celebration of her life back at Fraser Heights Chapel after her interment. We invite you to attend and remember her wonderful life by sharing your memories and stories of your times with her.

While flowers are welcome, we also encourage you to consider making a charitable donation to McKinney Creek Hospice in honour of Dorothy and as an expression of sympathy. ( A link will be provided for donations soon)