PESTES: Dorothy of Kelowna, passed away on November 22, 2020. Dorothy began her life June 13, 1927, in the town of Oyen, Alberta, the only child of farmers, Charles and Ida Bohannon. The family moved to Victoria B.C. in the 1930’s where Dorothy enjoyed her childhood and, as a teen, discovered her Christian faith, something which would become the core of her 93-year-long life.
Dorothy graduated in 1947 from Canadian Union College, where she met her future husband, Samuel Pestes. She went on to train at the Seventh Day Adventist hospital in Portland, Oregon, to train as a nurse. During her training, Dorothy and Samuel courted while he studied theology at Walla Walla College in Washington. Samuel and Dorothy married in 1950, in Victoria, B.C.
Samuel and Dorothy moved to Nanaimo, where she began nursing while Samuel began work as a pastor. The couple moved a great deal in the next decades due to the demands of Samuel’s pastorship, all the while raising their three children.
Dorothy and her family’s lives took a new path when, in 1966, they started a family theme park called Adventureland in the Okanagan Valley on the shore of Wood Lake. The business grew until it was sold in 1982. Dorothy then supported Samuel in his religious writing and finally began to fulfil her own life-long dream of writing as well.
Dorothy is survived by her 97-year-old husband Samuel, their eldest son David (Linda), daughter Linda, and youngest son Robert (Stephen), grandchildren Joy, Stacey, Bonnie, Falina and Christopher, and great-grandchildren Andrew, Greyson, Aidan, Sera, Noah and Emma.
Dorothy will live on in all of our hearts.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the service is by invitation only. All are welcome to join the online Livestream of the Graveside Service on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 at 10:00 AM .To view the Livestream or leave condolences for the family please visit www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna and click on Dorothy’s obituary.
Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299
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