Obituary of Dorothy May COLL (nee Fernie)

May 17, 1923 - Gull Lake, Alberta
April 17, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

Dorothy May Coll passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at the age of 97 years.

Dorothy was born in Gull Lake, AB, the youngest of six children of George and Martha Fernie, who ran Fernie’s General Store and post office. She worked in the store delivering messages to cottagers (the store had the only telephone in the village). Dorothy attended the one-room Woody Nook School and preferred the three-mile walk to riding the family horse. In 1942, Dorothy became the first woman in Calgary to enlist in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC) reserve, serving the war effort for four years. In subsequent years, she looked forward to attending CWAC reunions with the friends she made during her service. Dorothy later worked as a civilian for the military at Currie Barracks, where she met Bob. They were married in Calgary in 1952 and were together until Bob’s passing in 2009. Life in the military meant moves to Ontario (Camp Petawawa, London, Camp Borden) and Werl, Germany before returning to Canada and settling in Calgary in 1967. Dorothy was devoted to her family and always put her children first, with a smile, words of encouragement and, often, with a cup of tea and cookies! Dorothy was a kind soul and for many years took pride in assembling Christmas shoeboxes for the Samaritan’s Purse.  She remained close to her siblings throughout the years, especially Walt and Rose who lived nearby. Family travels included camping at Gull Lake, visiting her sisters in Oregon, Cathie in New Zealand and Bill in Ottawa, a bus trip with David to Disneyland, and a grand tour of England, Scotland and France with her sisters-in-law. Dorothy lived in the family home in Westgate from 1968 until 2005.

Dorothy will be dearly missed by her children, Cathie, Bill, Bob Jr. and David (Linda); and grandchildren, Falon (Garrett, Harrison), Dylan and Austin. She was predeceased by Thomas Robert Coll, her husband of fifty-five years, her sisters, Jessie Gibbons and Rose Anderson; her brothers, Bruce, Ernest and Walt; and son-in-law Dennis Papp.

A private family Committal Service was held. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Dorothy’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Poppy Fund, 2020 – 15th Street NW, Calgary, AB T2M 3N8, Telephone: (403) 265-6304. https://calgarypoppyfund.com/ The family wishes to thank Staywell Manor for their kindness and the exceptional care provided to Dorothy during the final ten years of her life.

In living memory of Dorothy Coll, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.