Dorathy Louise Lillian Dawn Lowey Obituary
Dorathy Lowey (nee Davies), beloved wife and partner of 63 years to Douglas Mack Lowey, died without suffering at home in Calgary, Alberta, at the age of 91 years. She has gone to be with her husband and with her son, Bruce Douglas, both of whom predeceased her. Dorathy was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the eldest of six girls.
From the time she was a young woman, she was passionate and fiercely independent. Strong and sturdy, Dorathy regularly chopped firewood and shoveled snow when she and Doug moved to the Yukon. Together with their four children, they created a home in the bush at Echo Lake, a place of cherished memories for 26 years. The family also lived in Winnipeg, Moose Jaw and Calgary, cities where Doug, who served in the Canadian Forces, was transferred.
After their Yukon adventure, Doug and Dorathy moved to a forested acreage near Edson, Alberta, and then to Kelowna, B.C. – always to be closer to their children. Dorathy worked for many years in Whitehorse as a meat cutter at the Food Fair grocery store, where they called her "Dottie." She had a strong work ethic which she instilled in all her children, along with a belief in themselves.
In addition to raising her own three sons and daughter, she took in and nurtured foster children, taught Brownies and Girl Guides, and was cook at a church camp for kids (they called her "Sarge"). An avid reader of mystery and crime novels, Dorathy in her later years spent countless hours at her colouring books and enjoyed her favourite TV shows, especially "Judge Judy" and "Dancing with the Stars." Dorathy and Doug both loved nature, all wild creatures and dogs.
Dorathy's last dog, Teddy, was her loyal companion to the end. Keen campers, our parents explored many places with family and friends, including Long Beach, Haida Gwaii, Alaska, the Oregon-California coast, and the Australian Outback. There are so many stories about Dorathy, including how she decided upon the man she would marry after seeing Doug in a factory and, in order to meet him, literally tripped him as he walked by.
Or the time she was walking her four Chihuahuas and someone mistook her and the prancing pups for a circus act. Or the night she snuck backstage at a concert and got a kiss from Johnny Cash. Dorathy was sometimes funnily outrageous and always fearlessly beautiful – truly a very special lady. She is survived by her children Mark (Elona), Patti Toleman, Grant (Susan), daughter-in-law Gloria, grandchildren Jess, Tobias, Mandy, Jonathan, Becky and Katie, step-granddaughter Alexandra Malterre (Stephen) and step-grandchildren Gabriel and Matisse, and Mom's "Winnipeg kids" Lynn and Kathy.
As requested, there will be no memorial service. Somewhere, Mom, Dad and Bruce are sitting around a campfire as Bruce plays his guitar, in the company of all the many "Lowey dogs." Dorathy's ashes will be scattered together with Doug's in Alberta and in the Yukon. Loving and unselfish parents, they will stay with us in our hearts and memories, in the howl of the wolf and in the cry of the loon.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the local Society for the Protection of Animals.
