Dorothy Elizabeth Michel September 18, 1921 - April 29, 2011 Dorothy Michel passed away peacefully in Estevan, Sask. on Friday, April 29, 2011 at the age of 89 years. Dorothy is survived by her children: Judy Gowen of Estevan, Richard "Dick" (Audrey) Michel of Weyburn, Sask., David (Elizabeth) Michel of Estevan, Mark (Wanda) Michel of Estevan and Charles (Alexis) Michel of Estevan; grandchildren: A.J. (Heidi) Gowen of Salmon Arm, B.C., Chris (Lindsee) Michel of Weyburn, Ryan (Kristelle) Michel of Chestermere, Alta., Jeff (Kelly Ivanochko) Michel of Estevan, Richelle (Clint) Tuffs of Stony Plain, Alta., Heather Michel (Sebastian Lagos) of Calgary, Alta., Joshua Michel of Estevan, Jenna Michel of Minneapolis, Minn., Aaron (Denise) Michel of Medicine Hat, Alta., Gregory (Amanda) Michel of Medicine Hat, Heather Lippai of Estevan and Leah Lippai of Estevan; great grandchildren: Ashtyn, Brynn, Olivia, Benjamin, Kate, Colton, Jaymee, Miranda and Landon, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband John; her parents, Stephen & Margaret Burner; and her siblings, Marie Michel, Jim, Dick and Larry Burner. Mom was never selfish. She was always there to help someone else, even if they weren't a family member. When we were young she did a lot of baking, homemade bread, buns, along with cinnamon buns and homemade pies and the special Pasqua Bread she made at Easter time. And for good reason ... a family of seven was always hungry and then she would get out the old treadle Singer sewing machine a mend our rips and tears. She would always do some extra baking that would find its way to a cupboard at the Sisters of Loretto Convent or at the Rectory. At an early age Mom taught us the power of prayer and the importance of a strong faith in God. Bedtime prayers and after supper rosary recitals were carried out in the parlour with all the family kneeling beside the chesterfield and rocking chair waiting their turn to pray a decade of the rosary. This carried on for many years and included the whole family. As the family grew so did Mom's prayer list. Christmas and Boxing Day were special holidays for us as a family. Tons of presents under the spruce Christmas tree which we would open on Christmas Eve. Mom would let us hang our stockings on the chesterfield chair in hopes that Santa would fill them. Santa would sometimes put a chunk of coal in Dad's stocking ... HMMM I wonder who that came from? ... Boxing Day supper was for the whole family - kids and later spouses and then grandchildren. LOTS OF PEOPLE in that house, with Mom trying to get supper on the table with everyone underfoot. WE HAD GOOD TIMES! Then the children started to "leave the nest " and the grandchildren were starting to arrive. Let's just say there weren't any of them that did not appreciate the good home cooked meals. They all had their favourite GRANDMA SPECIAL and Grandma would never forget! There was always good food at Grandma's and usually a pan of brownies and some candies in the dish on the rack in the living room. Mom loved her school years and was disappointed she couldn't finish and go to secretarial school and go to work in an office, but she had to help out at home at the dairy. She loved to read and learn. She read the Leader Post every day from front to back when her eyes were good; she could talk about current affairs and world politics. In her younger years, Mom played the guitar and piano and performed occasionally at a school concert or recital. She really loved music! She often said that us kids received our talent because before each of us were born, she would sit at the piano for many hours and play for us. We must have listened because we did form the MICHEL FAMILY BAND and enjoyed it for more than 30 years. Our house was always filled with music, day or night - the radio or record player - singing, guitars, piano, drums and the harmonica, Dad's favourite. Mom and Dad would come out with us for most of our dances. Even after Dad passed away, Mom still enjoyed the outing to watch her kids sing and play. Thanks Mom for your inspiration and your support, you taught us well! Many times after a dance and after unloading our instruments we would stop at Mom and Dad's in the wee hours of the morning for a snack and a chat ... she was an extremely good listener and always offered sound advice and gave you a positive sense of direction with which to move forward. Mom kept scrapbooks for each of the kids full of newspaper clippings, school stuff, cards, etc. - all of the special moments in our lives and in hers too, I'm sure. When we packed up her house, we found tucked away in a large brown envelope, pictures that every one of her grandchildren had drawn for her at some time over the years. The little things that were a treasure to her. She attended lots of her grandchildren's Christmas concerts, band and music festivals and their graduations from kindergarten to high school. For many years Mom volunteered at the Salvation Army Thrift Store. She sorted clothing and such, stacking shelves, and hanging clothing on the racks, but only after attending daily morning mass. Mom never had a driver's licence. If Dad couldn't drive her she would walk. One would think a car would get you there faster - but you should have followed her when she walked - she never ran but she was quick! On several occasions, I would see her coming from the Co-op with a few shopping bags, 913 Valley wasn't too far - but by the time I would circle the block she would already be in the back lane ready to enter the back yard. She wore out a lot of pairs of shoes! When Mom and Dad were first married they lived in a suite upstairs at Grandma Burner's house at 921 Valley Street. The first 3 children started out there. When I (Dave) was 9 months old, Mom and Dad bought their home at 913 Valley Street in June of 1952. Dad built on to the house in the early 1960's. Now there was more room for a family of seven. Dad passed on in November 1995. Mom and Dad shared 54 years and 7 months of married life. They were married April 16, 1941. For the last 16 years Mom lived in their home at 913 Valley Street. Mom was independent and energetic. Housework, yard work and walking were all part of her daily schedule - many times, stopping in or just driving by you would see her out in the yard digging those dandelions, raking up leaves or working in the flowerbed. She looked forward to spring every year so she could get back outside into the yard. On November 5, 2010 Mom moved to Creighton Lodge, it was pretty hard for her to leave a home of 59 years, but there comes a time when change has to happen. She liked her new place and the people at Creighton Lodge. She said "they are good to me here." A few days before Mom took ill, Mark had a chance to sing softly in her ear a few verses of "Shine on Harvest Moon." He said it brought tears to his eyes, but a smile to Mom's face as she would try to sing along, adding a few words here and there wherever she could. When he finished, he looked at her and asked if she remembered that song - after a brief pause she responded "YA." That song was one of her many favourites. Public visitation was held on Monday, May 2, 2011 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Hall Funeral Services, Estevan. Funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Estevan, by Rev. Joel Rama. Interment followed in the Estevan City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those so wishing may make donations to the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation, Box 5000 - 203, 1176 Nicholson Road, Estevan, SK, S4A 2V6 in Dorothy's memory. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan. MOM - all our love, we will miss you, we know you are in good hands now! Thank You The family would like to thank Dr. Christie, Father Joel Rama, the St. Joseph's Hospital staff, Sister Adelaide, the C.W.L., and the Creighton Lodge staff for their support. Thank you to family, friends and neighbours for their kindness and consideration during this time of sorrow.
