DOROTHY BONSHOR 1918 - 2014
It is with heavy hearts that we
announce the peaceful passing of
our Mother, Grandmother and Great
Grandmother Dorothy Bonshor on the
morning of November 8, 2014. Dorothy
led a life full of love, adventure and
challenge. Born on November 16, 1918
in Shellbrook Saskatchewan, Dorothy
was orphaned at age 4 and raised by
her beloved Aunt Cora. After meeting
her future husband, Bob, in Prince
Albert the couple moved to Vernon
to work the fruit orchards in the midst of the Depression. After war
broke out in Europe Bob volunteered to go overseas and reluctantly
left Dorothy behind in Vancouver with the fi rst two of their children.
Bob returned after the war and the couple opened a grocery store
on Victoria Drive. When the store couldn’t pay the bills, Bob went
to work at the White Pine Mill in Burnaby where he learned lumber
grading. The couple moved to Surrey in 1952 (with their now 6
children) into the ‘Palace’-a tiny one bedroom rented house. Later
they were able to buy a small house in Newton (sheer luxury with 3
bedrooms) where they expanded their brood to include 10 children
(in addition to occasional nieces, nephews and friends). All of the
Bonshor kids graduated from Princess Margaret High School in
Newton. Bob passed away suddenly in October 1973, leaving Dorothy with
4 teen boys still at home. She learned to drive, obtained her E.C.E.
certificate and began teaching preschool at the Star of the Sea in
White Rock. Later she found work she loved at the Langley Library
where she made many dear friends and continued to work for 8 years
until her retirement at age 65.
After retiring, Dorothy moved to Ocean Park and dedicated her spare
moments to volunteering on the Penninsula, working with the Senior’s
Drop-In Centre, the Stewart Farmhouse and the Semiahmoo Senior’s
Support Foundation among many others. In 2007, Dorothy was given
special recognition by the Mayor of Surrey for 25 years of volunteer
service. Dorothy also kept active with fitness classes and pole
walking, and kept her mind sharp with reading, scrabble and singing
with the White Rock Singers (thank-you to Frank and Gladys Muir)
and the Kent St. Choristers.
Dorothy leaves behind a legacy of kindness and service to others that
is extraordinary and inspiring. In spite of her busy family life and an
ongoing battle with depression, Dorothy dedicated her life to helping
others- always looking for ways to lift up those she saw struggling.
She was adored by her family and everyone lucky enough to have
known her.
Dorothy was pre-deceased by her husband Bob and their son Bob
Jr. (d. 2014 survived by his wife Elizabeth). Dorothy is survived by her
daughters: Maureen Montgomery (Ross), Wenda Bonshor (Derek), Penny Hawkins (Brian), Pat Keitaibl (Joe), Lynne Watson (Jim) and her sons: Dave Bonshor (Melanie), Gerry Bonshor (Wendy), Andy Bonshor (Tracey) and Mark Bonshor (Mariola). Dorothy is also survived by 37 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren
and 3 great-great-grandchildren who remember her Easter egg hunts,
puppet shows, bowling extravaganzas and her delicious Grancookies and home-made soup. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the wonderful,
respectful and caring staff at Morgan Place where Dorothy spent her
final 3 years. Our deep gratitude also goes out to Dorothy Blandford
for her spiritual guidance and friendship to Mom over the past many
years. It is not possible for all of us to lead the kind of selfless life that
Dorothy led but we honour her memory when we strive to make humility, gratitude, and kindness to others part of our daily life.
‘Beside the fountain, I stand here dreaming, of life together, eternally”
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Penninsula charity
of your choice. Friends are invited to attend a memorial for Dorothy
on December 20 2:00-4:00 in the Cedar Hall at the First United Church,
15385 Semiahmoo Drive in White Rock.