Tribute

Dorothy Mary Thorstenson (nee Bird), our beloved mom, grand-mom, (Gammy) great-grand-mom and sister, passed away peacefully  on June 19, 2015 at 98 years of age.   She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Miller (George), her sons, Ted Thorstenson (Karen) and Cliff Thorstenson (Sherry ), her sister, Betty Soule (Marc), five grand-children, Paul Miller (Rosamund), Dean Miller (Melanie), Dylan Thorstenson, Stephan Thorstenson, Liana Thorstenson (Ben), and her five great-grand-children, Cailen, Isabel, Hailey, Nicola and Matthew and was a much loved “Auntie Dot” to her nieces and nephews.. She was preceded in her passing by Roy, her loving husband of 58 years, and her sisters Joan Elliott, and Marjorie McIvor.  Our mom was born on August 21, 1916 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where her parents, Claudia and Ernest Bird settled after moving from England.  Her family then moved to Victoria where she spent a blissful childhood  with her three sisters and many cousins, aunts and uncles enjoying family get-togethers, swimming and canoeing in the Gorge and playing tennis on  a grass court constructed by their father “to keep my girls at home”.  She attended Craigflower School in her elementary years and then Mt. View High in her teen years.   Mom became a dedicated nurse after receiving training at the Royal Jubilee Hospital.  While nursing at Vancouver General, she met our dad who declared “It was love at first sight”, and was married in 1940.   After a honeymoon of travelling for three weeks on horseback over the Skyline Trail, much asked of a city girl, the newly-weds resided first in Princeton where dad taught for a year, then Nanaimo, Toronto, Qualicum Beach and, when Dad was appointed Inspector of Schools, Ocean Falls, Hope and Tsawwassen.  Upon retiring they travelled extensively and built a summer cottage on Mayne Island where they spent many hours working about the place, boating, relaxing and being with family.       Our loving mom of sparkling blue eyes will be remembered for her warmth and humour, her love of playing the piano and dancing, of golfing, playing bridge and bowling with friends. She was also an artist, her paintings exemplifying her sense of colour and design and love of natural beauty.    We wish to express our gratitude to the staff at Sunridge Place, Duncan, B.C. for their loving, compassionate care.  In lieu of flowers, donations to Childrens’ Hospital would be appreciated.    A Celebration of Life will be held at a date yet to be determined.  Mom you have left us with beautiful memories.  Know you will always be at our side.