Dorothy Joan Roberta Erven
May 2, 1931 ~ February 9, 2023
After an active, happy and wonderful life, Mom passed away peacefully at the Claresholm General Hospital on February 9, 2023.
Dorothy Joan Roberta was born in Calgary on May 2, 1931, the only child of William and Jessie Clarke. After graduating from Western Canada High School, she enrolled in the School of Nursing at the Ponoka Mental Hospital in 1950. She completed her four-year diploma course which included 2 years at Ponoka followed by two years of general training at the Calgary General Hospital. While in training, Dorothy received the highest award for psychiatric bedside nursing in Alberta.
It was also at Ponoka that Mom met Dad, as well as Ron and Joyce Mayled. Our parents made their first home in Camrose and both worked at Rosehaven – a geriatric hospital where Dad’s older sister was matron. In 1955, we kids started to arrive - Rick (1955), Robbie (1958) and Rita (1960). Once the kids were all in school, Mom joined the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital.
In the fall of 1971, Dad transferred to the Claresholm Care Centre and our family moved to Claresholm the following summer. Mom worked for a short time at the Claresholm General Hospital, but then transferred to the Physiotherapy Department of the Willow Creek Auxiliary Hospital – where she worked for 12 years. After her decades long nursing career, Mom decided to pursue her lifelong dream and earned her Bachelor of Nursing Degree from the University of Lethbridge in 1987.
Once retired, Mom and Dad spent many happy years taking camping trips across Canada, to the southern U.S., and north to Alaska; and several spots around western Canada with the Good Sams. As well there were trips to England, Australia, Mexico, Hawaii, and a cruise through the Panama Canal.
When they weren’t travelling, both Mom and Dad were active in the community. Mom volunteered with the Claresholm Fair Bench Show, Meals on Wheels, Claresholm Public Library, Senior’s Drop-In Centre, and United Church Presbytery.
Dad is waiting for Mom in heaven, but Dorothy will be greatly missed by her children: Rick (Shelley), Robbie, and Rita (Pat); her grandchildren: Chad (Heather) Erven, Scott (Marissa) Erven, Leslie (Reid) Kimmett; Nicholas and Patrick Temple; and by the latest loves of her life, her great grandbabies: Kalinda Erven, Freddie and Tommy Erven, and Simon and Elle Kimmett.
In lieu of flowers, If you wish to honor Dorothy, please be extra kind to one another; or take a moment to sit and enjoy a beautiful sunset; or consider a donation to the Claresholm and District Health FoundationBox 2638 - Claresholm, Alberta - T0L 0T0
A Celebration of Dorothy’s Life will be held at Zentner Funeral Homes – 4079 1st Street West, Claresholm, AB on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 11:00 A.M.
Arrangements in care of Zentner Funeral Homes, Claresholm, AB 403-625-3212
