Dorothy Berle Dennis

Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, Edward & Lucilla Davies; husband, Ray Dennis; 2 grandsons, Daniel Hemphill & Joel Dennis; son in law, Gordon Hemphill; 2 brothers, Ken (Dorothy) Davies & Keith Davies and sister, Verna (Stan) Cudmore.

Dorothy Berle was born October 13, 1923, to Edward and Lucilla Davies in Wawota, SK. She had an older sister, Verna, and two younger brothers, Ken and Keith.

Grandma took all her schooling in Wawota. After her school years she worked various jobs as a housekeeper and one of those jobs was at the Beckton Ranch. Grandma met Grandpa in the early 40’s and they were married November 23, 1942.

In October of 1943 they welcomed a daughter, Carol. Next came Audrey in October 1946, Russ in May of 1950, and then Jean in October of 1954.

Grandma and Grandpa moved to the Weyburn area November 20, 1952, to work for Chuck and Jim Porter of the Porter Land Company. They lived east of Weyburn on the Porter cattle ranch and later moved to another farm north of McTaggart. Grandpa worked for the Porters until 1965 when they moved to Weyburn.

Grandma and Grandpa became grandparents in October of 1964 when Don arrived and the last of the 12 grandchildren was Joel in April of 1978. The family they started all those years ago is still growing after 26 great grandchildren and 11 great great grandchildren.

Grandpa worked at Weyburn CO-OP laying floor covering and Grandma worked several jobs at cafes, a grocery, and a jewelry store but the jobs most close to her heart were at the Goodwill Bakery and Star Bakery. Grandma worked very little after her heart attack in 1979.

Grandma and Grandpa loved to walk, and they loved to camp. They spent lots of time with Tom and Winnie Rindal in PA and at Candle Lake.

They enjoyed the company of the Thornhills, the Lukeys, Lou and Ethel Lawrence, the Baileys, the Hemphills, and the Swansons. When you joined the family – your family was family – and once you became friends – you were family.

In her later years, Grandma kept VERY busy. She was a member of the Town and Country Women, she faithfully listened to AM 1190, to which she added everyone’s birthday and anniversary to the Birthday Club and was quite often the winner of the Coffee Row genius. It seemed we had an endless supply of Dairy Queen ice cream cakes. Her hobbies included playing cards, moving, coffee with friends, moving, driving friends to appointments, moving, and most recently BINGO at the Special Care Home. Oh, and we can’t forget the motorbike rides.

Grandma wasn’t exactly happy to be moving into the Weyburn Special Care Home, but quickly felt at home knowing some of the residents and with staff that treated her so well. A couple of those friends were Gordon and Clara. Grandma spent many hours visiting with Gordon, and we thank him for being a friend to help pass the hours. We were told a story from one of the nurses – she had passed by Grandma’s room one evening and heard a knock. She went in to check on her and Grandma was quick to tell her she was just knocking on the wall to say goodnight to her neighbour Clara. They did that every night.

Because family meant everything to Grandma it was of great comfort to us all to know she was in good hands at Weyburn Special Care Home. We often witnessed ourselves the care staff provided with compassion, respect, and dignity, and Grandma was the first to say so herself. We can’t thank the staff enough for the love and care she received… like family.

To say Granny D will be missed is an understatement. The wonderful memories we have of her are ours to keep in our minds and our hearts. Thank you, Grandma, for being our Matriarch.

Dorothy will be forever loved & missed by her children, Carol Hemphill of Weyburn, SK; Audrey Swanson of Weyburn, SK; Russ (Isabelle) Dennis of Hazenmore, SK; Jean (Winston) Bailey of Weyburn, SK;

grandchildren, Don (Conni), Pattie, Cory (Rhonda), Kelly (Carrie), Terrie (Kim), Karie (Frankie), Mike (Marla), Ryan (Chelsee), Sharie (Garth), Lisa (Ken), Chad (Jenn); 26 great grandchildren; 11 great great grandchildren as well as numerous, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, The Dennis Family and other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Service was held on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. from The Grace United Church, Weyburn, Saskatchewan with Reverend M. Barnabas officiating. Interment followed in Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn, Saskatchewan.

Pallbearers were Don Hemphill, Cory Hemphill, Kelly Hemphill, Terrie Swanson, Mike Swanson, Ryan Swanson , Chad Bailey. Honorary Pallbearer ~ Joel Dennis ♥

Donations in memory of Dorothy may be made to the Weyburn Special Care Home ~Auxiliary Fund.