Mrs. Dorothy Whitehead Engstrom

Dorothy Frances Engstrom

(nee Whitehead)

It is with profound regret that we announce Dorothy’s passing after a courageous battle with ill health at Pinecrest Home For The Aged in Kenora on Saturday November 15, 2014.

Dorothy was born on July 01, 1925 in Kenora, the only child of Frederick and Annie Whitehead. She was educated locally and spent her entire life calling Kenora her home.

She was pre-deceased by husband Clarence Gordon Osborne, parents Frederick and Annie, numerous aunts and uncles, cousin Barb Finch, best buddy “Little” Patrick Brett and the love of her life Arnold “Arnie” Oscar Engstrom.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter Pamela and son-in-law Patrick Brett of Kenora, son John Joseph and cousin George Finch and family of Ohio.

When Dorothy married Gordon, she became a mom to Pam and John and embarked on a selfless devotion raising her best friend Ramona Osborne’s (nee Shaw) children. Mrs. “O” was a neighborhood fixture on Fifth St. S. and will be fondly remembered by the MacDonell, Duggan and Francis families.

Dorothy cherished her “Engstrom” family including nephew Rick (Shirley) and their sons Doug (Charlene) and Don (Rubylyn). Of special importance to Dorothy were great nephews Troy (Kayleigh), Brodie and great niece Brookelyn.

Dorothy was a member of the Professional Business Women’s Association, Past President of the Business Women’s Curling and Golf and was active in her church groups over many years.

After Gordon’s death, Dorothy rejoined the workforce as a Court Clerk at Kenora District Court House where she gained a reputation for her exceptional ability to keep all things organized and on track at all times.

Upon her retirement, she was able to reconnect with the “love of her life” Arne with whom she spent twenty years plus wintering in Florida golfing and enjoying great comraderie with their Sandtrap Circle friends, particularly Bud and Nancy Root.

Her summers were spent at Arne’s camp on Blindfold Lake where she and Arne enjoyed nature at its best from May to September and many fun days with the extended Engstom family.

We would like to thank Irene, Muriel, Joyce, Bert, Ethel and the late Gladys Hoffman for their enduring friendship. We would also like to thank the Lake of The Woods District Hospital nurses and physio and the staff of 2 East for the excellent care of Dorothy during the lengthy periods she was a patient there.

Finally, a very special and heartfelt thanks to Unit 1 at Pinecrest who were so patient and compassionate during Dorothy’s last days.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held Saturday, November 22nd at 11:00 a.m. at Brown’s Funeral Home with Pastor Cathy Giroux officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, Ontario Chapter, 350-1101 Kingston Road, Pickering, ON, L1V 1B5 or a charity of one’s choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com

BROWN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS.