Obituary of Alice Dorothy Finlay

FINLAY – Alice Dorothy (Dot) – It is with great sadness that the family of Alice Dorothy (Dot) Finlay had to say goodbye to their loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother on the morning of December 9, 2015. Mom fought a courageous battle with cancer for the past eight months. Dot was born on October 1, 1927 on the homestead of her grandparents south of Aneroid in the Quimper district. She attended Quimper school and spent years on the family farm. Prior to her marriage she was employed at Fort San in the beautiful Qu’Appelle valley. On October 15th, 1947 she was united in marriage to Frederick Finlay. Their first home was in Esme and then they moved to the family homestead. They had one son Dwain Finlay. In 1954 they moved to Vanguard and they resided there all their married life. Fred passed away in 1994 and Dot remained in their home. Dot and Fred began their lives of farming and working hard to make a living. They both loved to dance and enjoyed the community dances and visiting with friends. They moved to Vanguard and she spent some years working in the drugstore and as a receptionist at the hospital. In the 1980’s Dot was diagnosed with skin cancer and spent time in University Hospital where she had extensive surgery to remove it and re-build her nose. She was a trouper through it all. So what will I remember most….. She found joy in the simple things in life, a perfectly brewed cup of tea in a china cup, writing letters to dear old friends and countless hours working on her scrapbooks and family genealogy. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and growing her flowers, particularly her Christmas cactus. Her talents of crocheting and the hours she spent making every one of us quilts we will treasure forever. Every Christmas the homemade pudding recipe passed down from her grandmother, the apple dumplings and fudge. She always had jars of canned preserves on hand which she made. She loved to travel and venture out on her own; she made trips to the Maritimes, Alaska and a few places into the U.S. A number of years ago she was lucky enough to win $100,000 in lotto 649, she kept her winning ticket in a margarine container in her freezer and after collecting her winnings she treated herself to a new vehicle and some flooring and furniture upgrades in her home. She enjoyed her drives out in the country; she would drive to the farm and sit at the edge of a field and watch Dwain work. She kept herself busy within the community with visits to the Senior Center, where she enjoyed coffee, cards and suppers. Her group of lady friends meant the world to her. She was an active member of the Vanguard United Church until its closing. Last fall she decided to spend a winter at the Bentley in Swift Current to see how she would enjoy life in there. But she had already made the decision she was returning to Vanguard in the spring, and suddenly she took sick the end of March. After she realized living on her own wasn’t practical anymore she settled into the Manor in Herbert. And when her mobility became too limited for that facility and she became sicker she accepted the transfer to the Herbert hospital. Each time she adapted without complaint. To the very end, even after she’d been bed-ridden, if anyone asked how she was doing, she would inevitably say fine. She was the best grandmother, she only had our three to spoil and love dearly. She sewed doll clothes, crocheted baby sets, made Halloween costumes and Halloween treat bags and tooth fairy pillows. She always said she babysat for pleasure not because they had too. Anyone that knew Dot well knew that she kept journals for years, I’ve been reading some of them the last few days and there are so many special memories of time with her three grandchildren when they were little and much history of events in the area. Dorothy is survived by her son Dwain (Laurie) Finlay, three grandchildren whom she adored Erin (Brett) Braaten and her great-grandchildren Tessa and Autumn of Cochrane, Ab, Devin Finlay (Kirby Leisle) of Swift Current and Joel Finlay of Swift Current. She also leaves behind her sister Elvina (Bob) Finlay of Moose Jaw and nieces Gale (Bert) Gunness and Sharon (Kelly) Caswell of Regina and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Fred Finlay, parents Peter and Elva Gammie, Brother in Law Richard Finlay and great niece Dee Anne Lowe and other extended family. It’s still very hard to believe you’re gone. I know that you are happy now where you are. I can only imagine how joyous the reunion was with all the family members you’ve lost over the years. Please enjoy them and don’t be sad for us. You gave everything you had and more to make us all happy and now it is finally your turn. Your love is forever appreciated and valued more than you will ever know. Eulogy was given by her daughter in law Laurie Finlay. Urn Bearers were her three grandchildren Joel Finlay, Devin Finlay and Erin Braaten. Ushers were Jeff Hornung and Myron Finlay. Pianist was family friend Joan Williamson playing all of Dot’s favourite old time music. Psalm was read by great nephew Ryan Caswell. The funeral service was held on Monday, December 14, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. from St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Vanguard, Sk. with Laura Balas officiating. A private family burial was held at Vanguard Cemetery Vanguard, Sask. Donations may be made to Vanguard Health Centre c/o the Dr. Noble Irwin Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to Parkside Memorial Funeral Home – Ryan Cappelle.