Dorothy Crosswell

Mom was truly the matriarch of our family. She raised ten children and became the step-mom to six more through her second marriage. Predeceased by her husband’s Clifford Dame and Bruce Crosswell, daughter Gail Hoeree Saunders, and son Darryl Dame as well as step daughter Lynne Patterson, Mom is survived by her children Rebecca Andreeff, Elaine Lawley, Angela Honsburger (Dave), Marilyn Bernard (Monty), Candice Arnold (Kent), Shari Schwenning (Allan), Dale Dame (Debbie), Darren Dame (Jacquie), and Shohn Dame (Holly) as well as step daughters Joanne Styan, Regina Marlett, Leslie Aufleger (Horst), Terri-Lee Hebert (Rick), and Tracy Crosswell, along with over 51 grandchildren and great-grandchildren who are too numerous to name.

Growing up, she was raising our younger brothers right alongside our young children, so for many years she felt more like a great-aunt than a grandma. But later in life, she fully stepped into that role – and then into the role of great-grandma, whom some called GiGi, and whom she loved fiercely and proudly. Her house and fridge were always covered in photos of her great grandchildren.

Our fondest memories include Mom and our dad, Cliff, when music was always at the heart of our family. Mom ruled the piano – working the ivories like nobody’s business, accompanying our dad who was an accomplished fiddler, as we played a variety of instruments including guitar, stool drums, and spoons, while other relatives played the instruments they brought to the family “jam session”. The music and love in that room bound us together for life. We lived on a 17-acre farm out Beaver Creek where we were always having “5-Acre Shakers” of our own on a regular basis long before they became popular!

Our father, Cliff, passed in 1995 and mom found love again in the late 1990’s. She married Bruce Crosswell, a widower with six daughters of his own. Bruce was a big man with an even bigger heart – and a big voice to match his size. He adored all of our children. He was jolly, loud, and full of life. A war veteran and forestry faller, he was deeply respected – an image of strength, security, and kindness. We still made music but in a smaller capacity with our cousin stepping in to play the fiddle to Mom’s accompaniment but although these were enjoyed very much, they gradually tapered off once Bruce passed away and Mom got to where she could no longer play.

To have two great loves in her life, so different, yet so alike, was truly a blessing for our mom. We have so many memories of our mom and so many of her traits live on in our family. Our matriarch has now passed and there will be an emptiness for a time. Families grow, new memories are made, and the laughter will fill the air again. But for now, we pause, we reflect, and we shed a tear for our loss. She will be profoundly missed and forever loved.

The family would like to thank Dr. Freddie Meyer for his kindness and the care he gave our mom during her residence at Fir Park. And to the nurses and care aides for their kindness toward mom and their thoughtful guidance and care through Mom’s final hours.

A Celebration of Life will be taking place on Saturday January 17th at 1:30 PM at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness on Maebelle Road.