Obituary of Dolores Bernice Sillars

October 10, 1940 – Saskatchewan

June 4, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Dolores Sillars (nee Lautermilch), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at the age of 82 years.

Dolores was born to Andrew and Erna Lautermilch in southern Saskatchewan on October 10, 1940, and was raised on her family’s farm. She skipped the fourth grade. She attended Briercrest High School, where she met Roy Arthur Sillars.

They used to go skating together. When Roy took her home to meet his parents, his father leaned over and said, “She’s just about perfect, isn’t she?”

After high school Dolores attended Hillcrest Christian College in Medicine Hat, AB, and at age nineteen married Roy. Over the next several years they lived in small towns in southern Alberta, and Saskatchewan where Roy taught in the schools. Their daughter, Arvella, was born in 1962, in Medicine Hat, AB, and son Leslie was born in 1967, in Rosetown, SK.

In 1968 they moved to a small house in Red Deer, AB. Roy taught high school math. For several years Dolores sold Bernina sewing machines, operating her own business out of a fabric store. She then accepted the position of manager of the Red Deer College bookstore, where she received awards for administrative excellence.

Dolores was a faithful Christian her entire life. When they moved to Red Deer, AB, they became members of the congregation that became Deer Park Alliance Church, where they served in many different capacities. They also met many dear friends there, with whom they spent much time, and who brought them much joy over the years.

In 1976 they purchased a small acreage on a hill five miles east of town. It had a lovely view of Red Deer. There Roy built an enclosed deck with large windows, and a hot tub. Dolores loved hot tubs and bright morning sunshine.

Dolores was beloved for her kindness, thoughtfulness, and gracious spirit. She was kind of quiet and very capable. Everyone around her felt accepted. She had her opinions, but rarely complained about anything. She dressed very stylishly and had a lovely singing voice. She crocheted untold numbers of Afghans and knitted cute sweaters for her grandchildren while watching TV or listening to radio programs. She prayed a lot.

She loved caramel popcorn, and apples baked with cinnamon and brown sugar in winter, and carrot and raisin salad in summer. She always decorated the whole house for Christmas. When her children came to visit there were usually wonderful smells coming from the kitchen.

Dolores loved her family so much. She was always there for her children when they needed her. She gave hugs to her children’s spouses that made them feel, not just welcome, but that she loved them as her own. At family gatherings she loved to play games because everybody could do it together, but the Dutch Blitz cards were sometimes a little sticky from the caramel popcorn.

In 1999, just a few years after they retired, they sold their acreage and moved to Medicine Hat, AB, to be near her mother, Erna, who was in a nursing home. Erna passed away in 2004. Dolores and Roy returned to Red Deer, AB, in about 2010.

Soon after that Dolores fell into a long and tragic illness, but she and Roy were able to remain in their home until May 2023, when they moved to a Calgary, AB, facility. She passed away a few weeks later, on June 4, 2023. Her family is grateful for the tender care Jane Hernandez provided to Dolores for many years. 

She is survived by her beloved Roy, husband of nearly 63 years, daughter Arvella Tutto of Calgary, AB (and family), son Leslie Sillars of Winchester, Virginia, USA (and family). She is also survived by her brother, Lincoln Lautermilch of Winnipeg, MB (and family), and her sister Renetta Heebner of Medicine Hat, AB.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to a charity of your choosing.

A Celebration of Dolores’ Life will be held at Deer Park Alliance Church (2960 39th St, Red Deer, AB) on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Dolores Bernice Sillars, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.