Obituary of Dorothy Lorraine Mary Dooks

DOOKS, Dorothy Lorraine Mary (nee Graham)
August 12, 1948 – Halifax, Nova Scotia
January 18, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

Dorothy Lorraine Mary Dooks, beloved wife of Reginald (Reg) Dooks, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at the age of 73 years.

Besides her loving husband Reg, Dorothy is survived by her two sons, Stacy and Ryan Dooks (Jennifer) of Calgary, AB; her sister Wanda Graham of Red Deer, AB, and her nephews, George (Stephanie) and Tyler (Krissy) Graham, and their children, Nathaniel, Madelyn, Brayden, Cohen, Avery, Ellie, Alex, Luke, Nick, and Max. She is also survived by her uncles, Merle Graham (Dianne), Lloyd Smith (Charlotte), Howard Smith (Sharon), Greg Smith (LeeAnn); aunts, Catherine Morrisey (Graham), and Evelyn White; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Dorothy was predeceased by her father George Graham Sr., her mother Doris Graham, brother George Graham Jr., and her nephew Nathan Smith.

Dorothy was born in Halifax, NS, on August 12, 1948. She graduated from the Halifax Vocational School with a secretarial degree. Dorothy married Reginald on May 17, 1968.

Reginald: 

Dorothy Lorraine Mary Dooks,

My wife, my love of my life, my sweetheart, my whole world. 

Dorothy was a fantastic individual who loved and supported me in our life adventures: she was always there for me, and I became a better person under her loving, caring support. We supported each other throughout our entire married life with our love growing stronger every day. She was a wonderful mother who provided love, guidance, and support to her two boys, Stacy and Ryan, who with the love of their mother grew into the individuals they are today: well educated, professional, respectful individuals making their environment a better experience.

Our family grew under her guidance and love. Dorothy was an excellent person, her Catholic faith was the foundation of her life. She respected everyone and would help anyone. She treated people with a respectful and caring attitude. 

I loved her with all of my heart from the first day we met: we went together for three years, were married for 53 years and 8 months, and I will love her for the rest of my life. She is an irreplaceable person who had strong, positive beliefs, who guided her family in a direction that would lead to a successful relationship, and made everyone in the family better people. We had the greatest marriage and never had a negative experience, only enjoyable family adventures.

Dorothy was certainly an exceptional person who worked hard to provide our family with a comfortable home. As a family we relocated seventeen times: six rental properties and twelve owned homes over our married life. She managed every move and would re-establish in our new home in a few weeks as if we had lived there all our lives. 

Dorothy was a lifetime member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority: she enjoyed attending the meetings with all her sisters. Dorothy joined Beta Sigma Phi in Sydney, Nova Scotia in 1983, and over the years as a member, Dorothy held executive positions: President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, and Corresponding Secretary. Dorothy was a dedicated member and no matter where we moved in the country, she knew she would have Sorority sisters to welcome her to the new community. 

Dorothy started her working career at the Dartmouth Free Press, received her Real Estate License in Fort McMurray and worked for Century 21, and worked as an administrator for Catalytic Maritime Limited. 

An excellent, loving wife and family provider who will never be forgotten by anyone who had the opportunity to know her. 

I love you sweetheart, always in my memory a treasure for life, love still growing. 

Ryan: 

Tell your parents you love them. 
Hug your parents every time you see them. 
Enjoy all the time you have with them.
Every moment with them, cherish it. 
I lost my mom suddenly on Tuesday, January 18. It’s been the hardest week of my life dealing with the loss. It’s been so hard seeing my dad, brother, wife, and aunt deal with the loss. I miss her every second of the day. Knowing she’s not around kills me. My mother helped shape who I am as a person. She was kind, caring, understanding, and most importantly loving. She taught all those values, and more, that helped me become the man I am today. She was generous and thoughtful, always willing to help anyone that needed it. Mom always supported me in every way possible. She was a guiding light in my life, both her and my dad. I know the days ahead will be tough, with good ones and bad ones. 

A funny story Mom liked to tell was when she saw Return of The Jedi. She was like, “You were so scared of that giant monster,” referring to the Rancor. Sometimes I’d mention He-Man and she would say, “We bought so many of those for you and Stacy. Remember the big castle?”

My world was shattered this week and will never be the same. 
I love you Mom. 

Stacy:

Mom passed away this week. 
It’s still so hard to believe. Every morning since she passed on Tuesday I’ve woken up and for a moment though it might’ve all been some horrible nightmare, but it isn’t. She was surrounded by people who loved her. The hospital staff, the nurses, and the doctors were all amazing and the fact they managed to help her in spite of the Covid maelstrom was nothing short of superhuman. 

My mother taught me kindness, and she always made time to help anyone who asked. She indulged her eldest son, letting him read “those weird books” by authors like King, Barker, Howard, and Lovecraft; who let him buy Dungeons & Dragons books and White Wolf roleplaying games, who supported him when he wanted to go to New Hampshire for a writing course and loved it every time he got something published. 

Like Ryan said, tell your parents you love them every day. Text them if you can, or better yet call them. They’d love to hear your voice. And try to do something kind for someone else, even if it’s something as simple as holding a door or the elevator. 

I love you Mom. 

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Dorothy Dooks, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.