Dorothy BOOTHMAN

Obituary of Dorothy Aileen BOOTHMAN

September 18, 1922 - Calgary, Alberta
May 3, 2021- Calgary, Alberta

Spunky and quick witted are just two of the words people have used to describe this strong, self-sufficient lady from an age when women were encouraged to be demure and dependent.

Born on September 18, 1922 at the Holy Cross Hospital, Dorothy was the youngest of nine children and outlasted them all. She lived her entire life in Calgary, attending McDougall School, Hillhurst Junior High and Western Canadian High School where her basketball scoring record went unbroken for almost fifty years. Straight out of high school she started working with the CPR delivering telegrams by bicycle, year round. She used to say, “Even at minus 50!” Much of her work was confidential and, as you can imagine, difficult as well as heart wrenching—particularly during World War II. Softball, bowling, movies and parties were squeezed between long hours and split shifts. After 40 years she retired, finishing her career as a telephone operator supervisor. To put her 98 years in perspective, she was retired longer than she worked!

Together with her sister Gladys, Dorothy bought a house in the “new” community of Glamorgan, living in the home she loved until the last few months of her life. She gave much of herself to the people and organizations important to her. She was a caregiver for both her parents and helped out with family whenever the need arose, Auntie Dorothy will be remembered as a constant in the lives of many of her nieces and nephews. She volunteered with the Red Cross and was a member of Knox United Church for over 90 years.

Dorothy was a proud Calgarian. Although people thought she was a huge hockey and football fan she was only interested if the Flames or Stamps were playing. Curling and baseball were also enjoyed from her comfy recliner surrounded by word puzzles, newspapers, books and the ever present Purdy’s chocolates and sweets. Her home was a collection of memories—gifts from family and friends, souvenirs and pastimes like needlepoint and seashells encased in resin. She loved to travel and valued the many life-long friends she made on her trips.

Dorothy never married or had children of her own but 17 years ago, an unexpected intersection gave her a granddaughter of the heart. Sarah and her family’s unflagging optimism brought positivity, new experiences and celebration to a stage in life more often about reliving old memories than making new ones.

It is impossible to reflect on time spent with Dorothy without remembering her jokes (often just a little on the naughty side)—she had an endless supply available because of her prodigious memory, trained by her many years at the CPR. She liked nothing better than to make someone laugh and loved for others to add to her collection. There is no doubt when Dorothy met Saint Peter on May 3, 2021 she had a joke in hand, maybe it was something like this…

A lady died and went to Heaven...As she approaches the Pearly Gates, Saint Peter greeted her. “Ah, welcome, my dear. We’ve been anxiously awaiting your arrival.” She looked around, not quite sure what to make of the scene in front of her. “Before I let you into Heaven, I need you to answer three questions. Would that be alright?” The lady nodded.

“Ok, how many seconds are in a year?” She thought for a moment and confidently answered “twelve”. Saint Peter was befuddled. “12?! You believe there are 12 seconds in a year?? Please explain.” She replied. “Well, there’s January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd, Apr-” Saint Peter interrupted, “OK, I suppose you’re technically correct. That will do.”

“Alright, how many days of the week begin with the letter ‘T’?” The lady thought for a moment, furrowed her brow a bit, and then replied “four”. Saint Peter, again taken off guard, says, “4?! How on Earth do you get 4??” She looks Saint Peter in the eye and said, “well, there are Tuesday, Thursday, Today, and Tomorrow.” Saint Peter nearly fell over with incredulity. “Ok, I suppose that’s also technically correct.”

“Lastly, what is God’s real name?” She thought about the question, her brow wrinkled, a little bit of sweat began to form on her forehead. Then, her eyes grew and she said with authority, “Andy! God’s real name is Andy!” Saint Peter slammed his hands down onto the podium, “ANDY?! How, please tell me, did you arrive at ANDY!?” The lady looked Saint Peter dead in the eye and said “Like the song says, Andy walks with, Andy talks with me.” Saint Peter sheepishly said “Welcome to Heaven Madam.”

In typical Dorothy fashion, she has requested there be no service but we invite you to share your messages, photos and memories with the links below.

When writing a tribute it is customary to list the “family” left behind but when someone is not just an aunt but a great aunt as well as a doubly great aunt, the list is huge, then when you include Sarah and her family as well as all Dorothy’s friends it becomes exponentially larger. Instead, we will end with … she was loved and will be missed by us all!

 

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