Dorothy, you were always beautiful.  It was just never so evident as when you were slipping away.  Dorothy has left us broken hearted, but hopeful.  We will miss her dearly, but her example of how to live a good and faithful life will serve us well.  Dorothy loved her church and this was exemplified in her life and her journey home.  

Raised on Durell’s Island in Canso, Nova Scotia by parents Cal (Calvin) and Tootsie (Virginia O’Hearn) Baker.  She and her ten siblings (John, Marie, Martha, Theresa, Margie, Joan, Ginny, Anthony, Doug and Helen) were well nourished by Mom’s fresh homemade bread baked daily, as well as from fish and lobster caught by Dad’s own hands. She loved her family and they were a tight knit bunch, but she truly came into her own as a wife (Darren), a mother (Tyrone and Nicholas), mother-in-law (Steve and Karla) and a most treasured Grammy (Charlie, Maxwell, Maja and Myree).  Of her love there could be no doubt.  She will be joining her Mom, Dad, oldest brother John and brother-in-laws Terry Parker and Fred Rhynold.  

Dorothy will miss all her in-laws including those from Darren’s side; mother-in-law Jean Bennett, Rhonda Bennett (Percy Bond) and Tracy Bennett (Courtnay) and from her side; Darren (Theresa) for his generosity with fish, playing cards with Johnny (Margie) and sharing many laughs, giving Nipper aka Jerome (Ginny) grief when her Habs beat his Leafs, Bev (Doug) for her kindness and good sense, Melissa (Anthony) with her creative nature and Paul (Helen) for the boat rides down to Martha’s camp.  

She is so grateful for her daughter-in-law Karla and son-in-law Steve and all they do.  Her Godchildren; Austin, Katlin, Brooklyn and Hailey held a dear place in her heart.  She also loved all her Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces, grand nieces, nephews and grand nephews from both sides of the family, but please do not ask me to list all of their names.  Dorothy would be mad if we did not include her friends, colleagues and volunteers from her life and career.  She loved you all.  

Dorothy always regretted not getting her degree from university, but she parlayed her many community volunteer efforts, good old fashioned hard work and grass roots intelligence into a long and successful career in Community Development.  Many of her jobs had community as a main focal point; the Guysborough County Regional Development Authority, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Nova Scotia Works Career Placement and Nova Scotia Health Community Health Board for Antigonish, Strait and Guysborough Area.  Maybe it was a good thing she didn’t get her degree.  She did more than okay.  

Despite all this her proudest accomplishments were raising Tyrone and Nicholas.  She loved all her grandchildren and was so happy being with them.  Taking Charlie to hockey.  Max’s hugs, love of toys and comics and his creative mind. Maja’s caring ways, ability to laugh and her love of stuffies. Teaching Myree from the age of two to bake: cakes, cupcakes, cookies and cinnamon rolls. Teaching Maja and Myree to sew.  They all brought Dorothy great joy.  She loved them dearly.  

We are grateful for the care Dorothy received at the Cancer Care Units at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and St. Martha’s Regional Hospital. A special thank you to the St. Martha’s Palliative Care team and the Palliative Care floor.  The Doctors, Nurses, Continuing Care Assistants, Pastoral Services, Music Therapy, Environmental Workers and all others involved exhibited a level of skill, care and empathy that made our journey much easier.  

She will be more than missed.  Come help us celebrate her beautiful life in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home in Canso on Monday, August 24 from 2 to 8 p.m. and at her Funeral at Star of the Sea Church in Canso on Tuesday, August 25 at 11 a.m.  

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Foundation or Star of the Sea Church in Canso or to any charity of your choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com