Obituary of Dorothy Myrtle Wilford

Dorothy Myrtle (Wilde) Wilford also known as Dorothy Neville May 03 1918 – Dec 08 2009 Dorothy Myrtle was born to George Edgerton Wilde and Lily Grace McPhadden on May 03, 1918 in Biggar, Saskatchewan. She was the youngest of three girls and sister to May, Grace, Frank and youngest brother Pat. In later years, the family moved to Grande Prairie where Dorothy continued her schooling. The family then moved to the Sunset Prairie area where they homesteaded until the late 1950s. When Dorothy was a young lady she got a job in the Groundbirch General store working for Mr. Jack McInnis and while she was working at the store, she met Harold Neville who worked in a local sawmill and lived in the Groundbirch area. After courting Dorothy for several years, they were married June 5, 1936, and made their home in Groundbirch, area. Their first child was born, Ron, followed by Gerald. Then along came daughter, Lorraine and then youngest son, Leonard. They remained on the farm for several years. While Harold worked away from home, Dorothy kept very busy raising a young and growing family, while also keeping the farm going. Her love of the outdoors lead her to enjoy her flowers, her garden and farmyard. She enjoyed drawing and painting local scenery and wildlife. As the children grew older, the family moved Dawson Creek for better schools and Harold’s job. While living in town, Dorothy joined the Order of the Royal Purple, where she enjoyed many years of community service and fellowship. In June 1986 she became a life member. After Dorothy and Harold’s children had grown, married and moved out, Dorothy rose to the challenge of helping raise two foster children, Shirley and Judy. Upon Harold’s retirement, Dorothy and Harold returned to their farm the place they loved the best. In 1970, upon the sudden and unexpected passing of Harold, Dorothy went to work for Schrader’s Flowers. Here she found pleasure and creativity in floral arranging. While trying to move on with her loss, she joined the singles dance club. Here she met Henry Wilford a confirmed bachelor who loved to dance. In 1976, Henry and Dorothy were married and Henry was welcomed into Dorothy’s family which now included many more grandchildren. They enjoyed many years together, spending time on both their homesteads, with their families and travelling . Over the years, they made many new friends in their church and neighbourhoods. In 1999 an unfortunate stroke changed Dorothy’s home to the Pouce Coupe Care Home. Along with battling Alzheimer’s, while in Pouce, she continued to have Henry’s love and support with his daily visits which continued until Henry’s passing, this past February. On December 8 2009, just a short time after moving into the New Rotary Manor, Dorothy peacefully passed away and is home at last. Dorothy Myrtle (Wilde) Wilford; a daughter and sister, athlete and pioneer, wife, mother and grandmother, friend … and so much more. She will be sadly missed by her family, friends and neighbours. Dorothy passed away on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 91 years of age. A Funeral service was held on Monday, December 14, 2009 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, British Columbia. A private family interment followed in the Willow Valley cemetery, Willow Valley, British Columbia. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Dorothy, may be made by way of a donation to the "Elks & Royal Purple Fund for Children” 100 2629-29th Avenue, Regina, SK S4S 9Z9.