Dec 10 1925 – FEBRUARY 2 2023
Our beautiful Mom’s life story has come to its conclusion. She passed peacefully with her loving daughter holding her hand. Mom was old-school gracious, a fashionista; beautifully dressed, weekly hair appointments, and pedicures. She was feisty, hardworking, independent, stubborn-as-a-mule, very generous, and humorous. Her spirit and love will be forever missed by everyone she met, whose lives she inevitably touched.
Her legacy lives on through her six children:
Karen, Frances, Marguerite (Mel), Ruth, Kathryn, Mathew (Michele), and her eight Grandchildren: Deven (Brendan), Dillon, Colton, Bren (Jake) Hogan (Andrea), Olivia (Kenan), Luke (Allison) Kyle, and two Great Grandchildren: Wyatt and Everly.
Our families were enriched by a blended makeup and left to cherish their memories of Mom are Grandpa Rein, Frances’s ex-husband Doug (Beverly, Linden), Debbie (Richard, Roz), Donna (Duff, Lizzy, Max).
Mom’s adopted sons Alan and Max had a long-cherished relationship with her. We thank you for all the love you gave to Mom.
She was incredibly proud of grand kids and their chosen professions.
Mom wore many hats, She was in sales (The Bay), manager of a KFC, a pharmacist assistant, an admission clerk at RIH (and continued to plan yearly luncheons for the retired clerks until COVID hit). She loved you girls! She tried to retire but managed the Sage Brush theater’s ushers and concessions for 8 years. She loved the arts, plays and the symphony. As things slowed down, she continued volunteering for Kibbitz and serving the less fortunate meals at the Mustard Seed well into her 80’s. She loved Music in the Park and a bench in her memory is planned for this summer.
Mom was a cancer survivor, diagnosed in 2011. She underwent surgery and treatments in March 2011. Was in remission for the remainder of her life.
We had an amazing garden and Mom would can, freeze and preserve for the coming long Alberta winters. She loved flowers and her balcony was overflowing with her favorites and a few herbs. She was a foodie and an amazing baker. Every special occasion was a themed cake.
An accomplished seamstress and hat maker, knitter. She sewed her girls matching velveteen jumpers for Christmas and our Halloween costumes.
Arthritis in her hands slowed down her knitting so she took up hooking at 93, donating hundreds of toques to shelters.
Mom was an adventurous spirit and loved travel and road trips. She travelled to Alaska, Europe, Egypt, Israel, Mexico, U.S. (incl. Hawaii).
A lover of all animals (especially horses), she attended the Spruce Meadows Masters yearly and was thrilled meeting Ian Miller and Eric Lamaze. She always had apples in her car (25 years) and the horses knew Granny’s car by sight and would come to greet her.
Mom loved camping and we’d pile in the station wagon and drive from Edmonton to the Okanagan for our summers. We moved to Kamloops in 1973, living and camping for that summer at Paul Lake until our house was built.
Mom loved her sports. Football, the Blue Jays and hockey. For fun she enjoyed visiting casinos and travelling to visit her granddaughter Deven in Victoria.
Mom always had the time to listen and advise or encourage us to live our best lives. She had a heart of gold and a gentle soul. Our love to our beautiful Mom, forever and ever.
A small excerpt taken from one of Mom’s favorite poems by Norma Cornett Marek.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone
Young or old alike
and today may be the last chance
You get to hold your loved one tight.
So hold your loved ones close today
And whisper in their ear
Tell them how much you love them
And that you’ll always hold them dear.
Many thanks to the wonderful nurses and staff at 6 North RIH as well as Ponderosa Interior Health (Jenn, Sarah, Cheryl) and wonderful neighbor June.
A small memorial service will be held at a later date.
A donation to the SPCA in her name would be appreciated.
Offer Condolence for the family of Kathleen (KAY) DODDS 1925 – 2023
Print This Obituary & Condolences
Joyce Rode
Sincere condolences to the family. We will miss her at our RIH luncheons.
Marilyn Kennedy
My condolences to Kays’ family. She was one awesome lady and I always enjoyed being in her company whether in fun or work. She certainly had a busy fulfilling life with her activities and her family was very important to her. She will be missed.
Donna Campbell
I’ve known Kay for about 35 yrs. Working together in the Admitting Department
at RIH. And yes she was a hard working independent lady. She was a fighter, strong willed. She accomplished a lot over the years. It was a pleasure knowing
Kay and being a friend. Donna Campbell
Rhonda Macdonald
My condolences to the family. I worked with Kay at RIH. She was always fierce, fun, committed and always a joy to work with. She enjoyed life to the fullest.
George Pruden
My heartfelt and sincere condolences to your family on your loss.
I met Kay at W.C.T. , with actors and actresses all around who was the most sparkling star?
Kay!
She was warm , welcoming and wickedly funny.
The theatre had a set of red velvet curtains
and Kay always told me she wanted me to make her a red velvet dress for her funeral.
I know she was kidding
but she was a gal with style and I
can see her in that red dress.
She was a unique and special lady!
Sally Cornies
Kay was always one of my favourite people. I first met her when I started worked at Dogwood Credit Union on Columbia Street in 1989. She was a pleasure to know and treated all the staff like we were her friends. We also saw her regularly when we went to WCT productions at the Sagebrush Theatre, and finally when we attended events at RiverBend. I don’t think I ever saw Kay without a huge smile on her face. Such a lovely woman she was!!!