OXFORD The death of Dorothy Gauvin, age 83, of Kolbec, occurred at the North Cumberland Hospital, Pugwash on Friday, March 4, 2011.
Born in Oxford, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Lois (Tait) Wilson
A native of Oxford, Dorothy married young and was widowed young, left to operate the family farm and raise 7 children through very hard times. She managed by raising what they lived on and sacrificed herself freely. She was a foster mother to several teenagers for Family and Children's Services of Cumberland Co.. She was a strong friend and advocate for the post mentally ill and mentally challenged, assisting voluntarily with Cumberland Community Homes for over 25 years. She has bequeathed her family home for the perpetual housing of mentally challenged adults. An incredible cook, she enjoyed bingo, card games, camping, traveling and lobster fishing. Her best times were shared with her family and friends around her kitchen table.
Dorothy will be sadly missed by her children, Winston (Judy) Henley, Whitehorse, Yukon, Eugene Henley, Sudbury, ON, David (Mary Henley), Mount Pleasant, NS, Beverley Shipley, Truro, NS, Doug Henley, Amherst, NS and Al Henley, Kolbec, NS; 11 grandchildren, Jackie, Stacey, Travis, Tyler, Dylan, Valerie, Kim, Denise, Tina, Allan and Robert Henley; 14 great grandchildren and a great great granddaughter; a sister, Alice Mae(Leslie) Boyles, Amherst, NS, nephews and nieces, Lorraine, John, Judy and Nancy; an aunt Ruby Pettigrew, Oxford, NS.
She was predeceased by husbands, Harold Henley and Oscar Gauvin; a son John (Jackie) and a brother, Silas Wilson.
Dorothy's remains are resting in the care of the W. Allen Funeral Home, Oxford (447.2167) from where visitation will be held on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. with funeral service Monday, March 7, 2011 at 2 pm. Burial in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers donations to the North Cumberland Hospital or a charity of the donor's choice gratefully accepted. www.allenfuneralhome.ca