Dora (née Cameron) Gowland

Loving mother of Doug Gowland (Sharon) and Lee (Leon) Baskerville. Predeceased by her husband Wilbert (2004) and grandsons Matthew Baskerville (‘04) and Sean (‘20) and both brothers Don Cameron and his wife Margaret and Denny Cameron. Dora is fondly remembered as Nanny by her grandchildren and great grandchildren Ian (Stephanie) Baskerville, Stuart (Kristen) Baskerville, Logan and Megan, and Jennifer (Kirk) Marrentette, Emma and Cameron.

Born on a small Ontario farm with no electricity or running water she lived with her parents Colin Cameron and Rita (Trane) and two brothers Don and Denny. Her mother died in a household fire when she was young so was raised by various relatives but mostly by one of her mother’s sisters Flora Griffith and her husband John Henry. When WW2 broke out her boyfriend and future husband Wib and her younger brother Denny enlisted and met for the first time in the showers of an RCAF base in England. They became close friends and had many escapades on Denny’s motorcycle (he was a dispatch rider). Meanwhile Mom entered St. Joseph’s Hospital Nursing School, a profession she would practice part time when we were small and then back to full time as we grew older. Her experience with polio after Doug was born, I am sure made her an understanding and compassionate nurse.

She lived through an amazing period of history from having no electricity to home computers and the internet, from horses and wagons to space shuttles, from assisting in childbirths on farm kitchen tables to heart transplants and robotic surgery. Through it all she maintained her sense of humour as when on a beach holiday the surf knocked her down and rolled her up the beach – and down the beach- and up the beach. When I tried to help her, she was laughing so hard she couldn’t stand up!

She loved travel and her and with Dad took several trips back to Scotland and the Isle of Iona where her grandfather emigrated from as well as a very memorable trip to Jordan and the Holy land. She was gifted at several crafts and sewed many of our clothes when we were growing up, made many quilts and afghans, and painted beautiful landscapes in oils. She delighted in spoiling the many family cats and dogs. Summers spent at the family-built cottage on Georgian Bay, brought many joys. Attending church, playing bridge and lawn bowling meant for a very sociable lifestyle.

Many thanks to the staff at Winston Park, especially those of the Egerton Neighbourhood whose compassionate care she often commented on.

A life well lived; she will be missed.

Cremation has taken place and there will be a family service at the graveside in Weston.

Donations in Dora’s memory can be made to Winston Park Retirement Home in Kitchener, Groves Memorial Hospital in Fergus, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Westmount Memorial Celebration Centre, Kitchener, (519-743-8900). Online condolences at www.westmountfuneralchapel.com