Dorothy Bowes
August 22, 1928 – March 31, 2021
Dot, in her 93rd year, passed away peacefully at the Dryden Regional Health Centre after a brief illness.
She was born in Tessier, Saskatchewan to Jack and Pearl Dean, the oldest of four children.
As a young woman, Dot moved to Dryden to work at the St. Regis Bag Factory. It was here she met her husband, Wilbert (Jiggs) Ayers, and they were raising their three children together when Jiggs’s life was tragically taken and Dot was left to raise their young family on her own. Being a strong, determined lady, she went back to school, took a business course and was able to secure a job at the mill in the engineering department. During this time she also purchased a car and had a family friend teach her to drive.
Dot remarried Roy Bowes and they had a happy marriage for 24 years until Roy passed away in 1990.
Dot and Roy travelled throughout Canada, made a trip to Europe and had a winter home in Texas where they spent a lot of time. After Roy’s passing Dot would spend many winter months in Victoria BC. Other ladies from Dryden who stayed in the same hotel she did shopped, dined out, toured around and played bridge!
Dot was very active throughout her younger years – cross country skiing, curling, golfing and proud to say, “I walked the course!”
Being raised on the prairies and never around lakes for swimming, she was always afraid of the water. She would not walk in the water or go in a boat. When the Dryden pool was built Dot was one of the first people to take adult swimming lessons. Apparently a week was spent getting her grip off the side of the pool, but once she was comfortable there was no stopping her. She swam most every morning and there was a group that enjoyed social time afterwards, usually a coffee or breakfast. Eventually this took Dot to the Senior Games competitions and yes, she did win many medals throughout the games.
Dot played bridge in many different bridge clubs and enjoyed reading. She loved to host or attend family gatherings and cherished her time with her friends.
Dot was active in her community volunteering. She took part in St Luke’s Anglican Church services and enjoyed socializing with the after service breakfast club.
Dot loved her family home and it was very hard for her to leave it, but when the time came a few years ago to simplify her life Patricia Gardens became her new home.
Dot is survived by her three children, Sharon Hatch (Gerry) Courtenay BC, Bob Ayers (Lucille) Dryden, and Marg Ramsay(Rob) Duncan BC and by her grandchildren, Jason Hatch (Kara), Jessica Jones (Johnny), Ian Ayers (Chloé), Graeme and Keegan Ramsay. Dot is also survived by her great grandchildren whom she adored – Ava, Carys, Lily, Evelyn, Anneliese and Kiefer. Many nieces and nephews have been a great part of Dot’s life.
The family would like to thank all the staff at Patricia Gardens, Dr. Barrie and the staff at DRHC for their care and concern.
A private family graveside service will be held at a later date when travel restrictions are lifted.
Should friends so desire, donations can be made to St. Luke’s Anglican Church or DRHC Equipment Fund through Stevens Funeral Homes, P.O. Box 412, Dryden P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be posted on Stevens Funeral Homes Facebook page or atwww.stevensfuneralhomes.ca.
