With gratitude for a long life well lived, the family of Dorothy Koehler announces that our dear mother passed away peacefully with daughter Marlene by her side.
Dorothy will be lovingly remembered by her sons Norman (Cathy) and Brian (Laurie), daughter Marlene (Dan), brother Ted, grandchildren Jackie (Jason), Michelle (Craig), Lisa (Nathan), great-grandchildren Alyssa, Kierra, Caitlin, Marshall, step-grandchildren Joni (Justin) and Sara (Michael), step-greatgrandchildren Riley, Evan, Breea, and Kaeda, son-in-law Ron, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Dorothy was predeceased by husband Harold of 60 years, parents Fred and Violet Notley, brother Norman, sister Isabel, and earlier this year by sweet daughter Susan.
Dorothy was born in Toronto as the second of four children. In addition to raising four children with husband Harold, she fostered many children, boarded figure skaters, and prior to retirement operated a home day care and small cottage resort. In her spare time, Dorothy enjoyed movies, popular music, knitting, and hooking rugs. During retirement, Dorothy enjoyed traveling, line dancing, and playing bridge.
The family would like to thank the staff at University Hospital (stroke unit), Victoria Hospital, Parkwood Institute (complex and palliative care) who cared for Dorothy lovingly and capably since February, and the many staff at Chartwell Riverside where Dorothy lived for the past five years.
Cremation has taken place. A virtual celebration of life was held via Zoom on October 17, 2020 at 2pm (EDT).
Memorial donations may be made to Child Haven International (https://www.childhaven.ca/ourstory.html ), the Living Tree Fund of the Unitarian Fellowship of London (http://www.unitarianfellowshipoflondon.org/ ) or a hospital or charity of your choice.
13 replies on “December 31, 1924 – September 15, 2020”
We will always remember Dorothy and all the great times we had line dancing, and playing bridge. She had a great perspective on life, and we enjoyed our association with each other.
Sincerely,
Darlene & Aulis Laine
Dorothy was a well-loved member of the Unitarian Fellowship of London, and one of the people who made Mark and I feel truly welcome there. Our deepest sympathies for her family’s loss.
Such a lovely picture to remember Dorothy.
Aunt Dorothy was a beautiful person, always friendly and welcoming.
She was a loving caregiver for her family, as well as her extended family of foster children and boarders, and they can all cherish memories of her.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dorothy when she visited Marlene in Ottawa. She was a vibrant woman who maintained an active social life, playing bridge and engaging in line dancing until very recent times. My condolences to Marlene and Brian and the rest of the family.
I have been thinking of you, Marlene, at this time of loss. I believe you have been a very devoted daughter. I’m sure your faithful visiting and support were most helpful to your mother. Blessings! A
I remember Dorothy from earlier days at the UFL. She was a great support for her husband and our fellowship. He sat at the front and often made announcements; she towards the back and provided the coffee and cleaned up afterwards. She worked in the kitchen for many years.
Dorothy also was the inspiration behind games and line dancing evenings.
We remember with great fondness and warmth Dorothy and her welcoming and nurturing presence at the UFL. She was sought out by a number of us of all ages who would bee-line to her for the exchange a greetings and kind words. Marlene, Dan and family carry on the tradition of her community-building born of her strong foundation of respect for the dignity and worth of all people. Heartfelt condolences.
My dear friend Dorothy was very intelligent, kind, generous & quick witted lady with a fabulous sense of humor. Her laughter was contagious & appreciated by all. She loved people, always ready to give a helping hand, caring words or a hug.
At Line Dancing we enjoyed her love of dance, enthusiasm & energy. I know that she extended her loving ways to all people who were fortunate enough to know her.
My sincere condolences to all of her family & friends.
Rest in peace, my dear friend, rest in peace! I will never forget you.
Marlene, I was very saddened to learn of your mum Dorothy’s passing. She was a lovely, caring, outstanding woman whom you will dearly miss. She loved caring for and looking after her loved ones, and all of us at Church. She was a true nurturer, with much warmth and kindness, and a wonderful and contagious bubbly sense of humour. My sincere condolences to you Marlene and family at this time. Her spirit will be remembered and cherished. Best wishes.
Betty
Dear Marlene,
Though I have never met your mother I see that she was full of energy, warmth, fun, intelligence and commitment to making this world a better place. (Quite like you, Marlene!) The congregation of UFL will certainly miss her but will be so grateful for her life of generosity and love. Please know that my thoughts are with you and Dan and your family through this difficult year.
Lorna
To Dorothy’s Family
Dorothy was a wonderful lady,danced with her at the YMCA, always a smile and kind words for everyone. I am in awe of her good works, she will be truly missed, help her legacy live on. She was a special friend to my young son at line dancing, he would run across the room to give her a hug, almost knocking her over. She had that true grandma spirit.
Dorothy was one of the first members I met and, of course, met in the UFL kitchen, that unbelievably small kitchen of the UFL “home” on Victoria Street where Dorothy most if not all Sundays was the traffic cop directing a most intricate flow of people with after service refreshments, followed by dirty dishes coming back in, washed and put away in cupboards. She organized it all, like a linedance actually.I never knew her to lose her cool or just walk away leaving the task to others for once! Everyone knew Dorothy and Dorothy knew everyone.
Dorothy was a wonderful person. She was the longest serving coffee maker and kitchen help at the UFL. Sometimes she would have a few of us over to her place for a delicious meal; she loved to cook. Many of us from the UFL went to Dorothy & Harold’s 60th wedding anniversary. Several of us from the UFL had a nice lunch in separate room at Chartwell Riverside with Dorothy & Sheila West followed by games. I was treated to a lunch with Marlene, Dorothy& Sheila West. Dorothy left this world a better place.