Obituary of Dorothy Fay Pike

Dorothy Fay Pike
18 September 1922 - 16 February 2020

Daughter, wife, mother, aunt, and friend mom lived a long, happy and busy life. Dorothy was born in Edson Alberta on 18 September 1922 to Bill and Annie Doherty. Soon after her birth the family moved to Radisson, Saskatchewan. Dorothy spent her school years in Radisson and had many happy summers in Harris staying with an aunt and cousins.

After grade 12 Dorothy moved to Maidstone to be the bookkeeper in the Canadian Bank of Commerce. She met Ray in 1943 and when Ray returned to the navy they corresponded on a regular basis. Ray returned home in 1944 and they were married in Zealandia on 14 July 1946 and lived on Ray's family farm for approximately 10 years. Their daughter Lora Lynn was born while living on the farm.

Mom and dad loved to dance and they attended many dances in Maidstone, Saskatoon and Hawaii. They also square danced and round danced for many years. They were avid fast ball fans and were both active in the Saskatoon Fastball Association. Dad coached while mom kept score. She was also the city's registrar for many years. Dad coached a girl's ball team with their daughter Lynn as one of the players and then coached a boy's team. Mom and dad were awarded the Darren Lepinsky award for their many years of contribution to Softball.

Mom loved baseball and watched the Blue Jays until the end of her life with a cup of tea by her side or at times with Darryl and a Boost and booster (rum).

In 1977 mom and dad went to Hawaii for the first time and fell in love with the state. Dad was so enthused by the tropical paradise and talked about it so much mom said if friends saw him coming they would cross the street so they wouldn't have to listen to him once again. They returned to Hawaii another 20 times and considered Oahu to be their home away from home.

Both loved to travel and went on many trips with Lynn & Darryl to California, Florida, and the Maritimes. After dad's death mom continued to travel to the Carolinas, Missouri, and California.

Mom loved to sew, knit, and crochet. She was very particular about everything she did and wouldn't be happy until she was satisfied with the result. Mom taught sewing while working at Singer. She also taught knitting and crocheting at a couple of local schools. She made many garments for herself and her daughter Lynn as well as knitting or crocheting afghans, sweaters, socks and doilies.

Mom was proud to be of Irish ancestry and celebrated St. Patrick's Day with the "wearing of the green" every year. Mom loved to laugh and tell jokes. She could laugh at herself and at her 94th birthday party told a few stories she considered to be particularly funny. A sample of the stories she told are: One day mom's phone rang. She answered and it was the doctor's office reminding her of an appointment she had the next day. Mom thought that she knew all about the appointment and didn't listen very closely to the rest of the information. When the receptionist stopped talking the conversation went as follows:

Mom: Would it be possible for the doctor to look at my leg when I'm there? Receptionist: "your leg?"

Mom: "Yes, it's been bothering me and I'm hoping the doctor will look at it while I'm there."

Receptionist: "Well, I'm not sure if he knows much about legs, but I'll ask him. "Mom: "What kind of a doctor is he if he doesn't know much about legs?"

Receptionist: "This is your dentist's office calling" The next day when mom went to the dentist's office the first thing Dr Morton said to her was "Well, Dorothy, let's take a look at that leg."

Mom and I often had lunch at Manos. One day it was stormy and miserable out so I told her I would go and get the car and bring it up to the door. I had just gotten to the car and turned to look at the front door of the restaurant when I saw mom come out of Manos and get in a car. She'd thought it was me. When she got into the car and closed the door the gentleman driving the vehicle politely asked "where would you like to go mam?"

Mom visited Dr Taillon fairly regularly and was always ready to joke with him. During one appointment Dr. Taillon was checking her pulse and commented that the pulse was more rapid than usual. Mom commented that she didn't know what he expected seeing as a handsome doctor was holding her hand and of course her pulse would be racing. We wish to thank many people for their help and support: The Home Instead ladies and the Home Care nurses helped her stay in in her home as long as possible and were an invaluable service. We were very lucky to have them. Both the St. Paul's Hospital and City Hospital staff are greatly appreciated.

The Extendicare staff including Dr Beckler, nurses, and care givers were very supportive and helped to keep her as comfortable as possible.

Dr Taillon and his assistant Mar were both ready to talk and laugh with her whenever she came to the office. Dr. Taillon was very good to her and addressed her health issues by taking time to listen and advise what was best.

Mom's dentists Dr. Morton and Dr Knudtsen and staff did their best to maintain teeth that were rapidly deteriorating. For many years mom went to Midtown Stylists to have her hair done. Thank you to her hair stylist and all of the staff there. Those visits were one of the highlights in her week. Mom went to Lil'Ly's Nails on a regular basis too and enjoyed getting her nails done in beautiful colours. We also want to thank her nephew Chris & wife Jayna Tarasoff, niece Helen Riggs, Connie & Laurie Donald, Shelly Wichman, Marlene Pike, Adeline Vogelgesang, Warren & Linda Freeden,, Colleen Cox and Gail Pearson who called and visited whenever possible.

On Hallowe'en night Cohen & Brianne Freeden, with their two daughters Jesslyn & Raeya visited. Mom enjoyed the visit very much.

My parents had remarkable neighbours Kathleen and Gerry and their son Mark, and two daughters Maureen and Regan. They were always willing to help. We appreciate all the support they have given both mom and dad over the years. The Freeden and Prime families were so welcoming to both mom and dad and included them in parties and fun times. Mom was called "Grandma Dot" by many of the youngsters. In July 2019 mom was surprised by a visit from Caesar. My parents had met him in Hawaii and on a trip to the mainland Caesar made a special effort to come and visit. It was a happy time and mom talked about the visit until her death.

Dot was predeceased by her husband of 60 years Ray, her two brothers Robin (Margaret) Doherty, Jack (Meta) Doherty and sister Cora (Bill) Tarasoff, her mother Annie and father Bill Doherty, sister-in-law Ruth (Ted) Heggstrom, sister-in-law Marge (George) Fischer and father-in-law Cecil (Ava) Pike. Dot is survived by her daughter Lynn (Darryl) Freeden of Dundurn, niece Helen (John) Riggs of Saskatoon, nephew Chris (Jayna) Tarasoff of Saskatoon, nephew Don Heggstrom (Sherri Aiken) of Victoria, cousin Joan Boddy of Edmonton, Ray's cousin Connie (Laurie) Donald of Maidstone, Marlene Pike of Maidstone and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dorothy's ashes will be placed next to Ray's at St. John's Columbarium in a private service. In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be given to the Canadian National Institute of the Blind (CNIB), or The Heart and Stroke Foundation.