Obituary of Dorothy Mildred Ayers

Obituary for Dorothy Ayers

1918 — 2023

Dorothy was born on January 22, 1918, in Portreeve a small hamlet on the prairies of Saskatchewan. The First World War was still being fought and women hadn’t yet been granted the right to vote in Federal elections. Mom attended the Victoria Nursing School in Winnipeg and upon graduation began her nursing career in Canada and the US.

She nursed until she met the love of her life, Hugh Ayers in 1947. They were married the next year and moved to Swift Current, Saskatchewan. In 1951 the family moved to Arkell and later Guelph, Ontario. During this time mom found her true calling, providing a wonderful example for her 5 children. 

Dorothy introduced her children to the world, through travel. She and Hugh took her family around the world when their youngest, Gord, was still in diapers. Dorothy and kids lived in Australia for two years, England for a year and Dorothy and Hugh in Brazil, and India for extended periods. They always returned to the family home on Lynwood Drive in Guelph.

Mom’s interests were varied. She maintained an interest in world affairs, literature and politics. She taught her girls to sew and was still knitting scarves and mitts for charity until the day she passed. Mom was a prolific networker and maintained constant communication with friends and family. Her children, especially, looked forward to her daily calls to let us know how proud she was of us, offer support and tell us how much she loved us. Mom showed that same love to her children’s spouses and families. She never lost interest in what we were doing, and never stopped being a mom. Friends, her children’s friends, cousins, nieces and nephews could all expect a random call from Dorothy, just to let them know she cared. That same affinity extended to all her friends and staff at her Southbrook Retirement home.  

We, her children and extended family, want to express our gratitude to mom for the example she and dad provided, for the skills they passed on and for the love we were surrounded with. We are who we are because of you, and we will always love you.  

Dorothy died peacefully on October 28, 2023 surrounded by her family. She was predeceased by her husband Hugh (2005) and her brother Robert (1987). She is survived by her younger brother Garry (Susan) and her children George (Helen), Michael (Alison), Kathy, Carol and Gordon (Karen), her grandchildren Karolyn (Curtis), Mark, Melody and Laura, Emma and Grace and by her great grandchildren William and Louise.

There will be a celebration of her life held at Brombal Funeral Home, 1 Delhi Street, Guelph on November 11 from 2 to 4pm. Dorothy wished to have a casual gathering of family and friends. Please join the family if you can.

In lieu of flowers, and to honour mom, please hug a friend or family member and tell them you love them. Dorothy would have liked that.