Dora Bassingthwaite passed away peacefully, with her family at her side, at the Yorkton & District Nursing Home in Yorkton, SK on Sunday, January 27, 2013. She was 86 years of age. Dora Marie Bassingthwaite was born on May 1, 1926, the daughter of Alexander and Marie Adele (nee Allarie) Flamont at Marieval, SK. As a young girl, she moved to the Crescent Lake District and worked at various jobs. It was here that she met her future husband, George Oliver Bassingthwaite. They began their life together, and raised their family in the Saltcoats area. Dora's love for George was unselfish and was most evident during his illness, as she visited him daily for two years until his death in 1976. Her greatest joy was raising her large family. She instilled in each one a strong work ethic which she modelled through her own example. Dora always told her children, "If you're going to do a job, do a good job". Her favourite pastimes included gardening, cooking, sewing, quilting and knitting. She excelled at these talents and her family always enjoyed the fruits of these labours. Dora also loved to socialize with her neighbours and friends and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Through the years, Dora and her family shared hard times and good times, lots of tears and lots of love and laughter. Her children will be forever grateful to Dora for being such a great Mom, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and a wonderful friend to so many people. They are certain that at the time of her death, when she finally arrived home to be with their Dad, she must have had a few choice words to say to him about leaving her alone to raise their brood! Dora will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her family and all who were blessed enough to have had her in their lives. A Prayer Service was held on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Father Francis Hengen officiating. Funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 from St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church in Yorkton, SK with Father Francis Hengen serving as the Celebrant. The organist, Pamela Yaremko, led the congregation and members of St. Gerard's Choir in the singing of the hymns, "Morning Has Broken", "Psalm 23", "Prayer of St. Francis", "Amazing Grace", "Song of the Angels" and "How Great Thou Art". The readers were Sara Cameron and Kyla Bassingthwaite and Colin Bassingthwaite shared words of tribute and eulogy. Royal Canadian Mounted Police escort was provided by Jamie Markham and Jason Brown. The Interment Service followed in the Saltcoats Town Cemetery with Curtis Hientz, Darcy Bassingthwaite, Justin Bassingthwaite, Neil Markham, Trevor Brown and Braden Bassingthwaite serving as casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
