Obituary of Dorothy Elizabeth Little

July 29, 1928 - Victoria, British Columbia

December 21, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Dorothy Elizabeth Little (nee Wills), beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, friend, and community builder, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2024, in Calgary, AB. God’s gentle hand has taken Dorothy’s spirit to rejoin George.

Dorothy was the youngest child born July 29, 1928, to the late Archie and Lydia Wills of Victoria, BC. She received her early education in Victoria, where wartime curtailed adventures to picking up food rations, bike rides to Mount Doug, and trips close to shore in a ten-foot sloop. She earned a Bachelor of Arts (1950) and Education (1951) from the University of British Columbia (starting at Victoria College where she was a Students’ Council member), while President of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and the first Woman Don at first permanent residences. It was here she met George Edward Little, the love of her life, who was studying law. A shared love of classical music and bridge dominated their courtship and lasted their lifetimes. After marrying in Victoria in 1952, they moved to Calgary, where all five children were born and raised. They had 66 years of marriage before George passed in June 2018.

Dorothy’s adult years brought many physical challenges, starting with her first stroke in 1974, which repeatedly landed her in hospital, testing her resilience and perseverance while demonstrating her unshakeable attitude to choose life and a purpose every day. Dorothy actively contributed to education and the arts in Calgary. She was an elected member of the Calgary Public School Junior High Commission, the University of Calgary Senate, and the Calgary Regional Arts Foundation (the first and only woman at the time). She was a volunteer and Executive Member of the Junior League of Calgary, a member of the Calgary Women’s Literary Club (presenter of 27 papers between 1956 and 2014), and an Information Officer at the Glenbow Museum. She was also a member of the Glencoe Club and Riverview United Church, serving as a Sunday school teacher and Hi C Counsellor.

Her greatest enjoyments and passions were participating in and witnessing learning, the activities of her children, the gusto of her seven grandchildren, and the sheer delight of nine great-grandchildren. Although not an ardent fan of the camping years, she did marvel at the family hiking and skiing trips in the mountains. Numerous family gatherings at Terra Vista on Lake Windermere were the pinnacle. She also loved the extensive travelling with George to over twenty countries in their retirement years and breaks at Lakeholme on Langford Lake together with Irene Jean McEwen, George’s cousin, who introduced him to Dorothy in 1951.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Sharon Elizabeth (Dan) Dowdall of Toronto, George Kenneth (Lisa) Little of Vancouver, and Catherine Anne Little, Alison Irene Loewen, and Nancy Jean Helledie (Ian) of Calgary; grandchildren, Michael Edward Dowdall (Loudes) of Toronto, Katie Elizabeth Taylor (Steve) of Ottawa, Charlie Jacob George Loewen (Christine) of Ames, Iowa, Alexander George Little (Kim) of Vancouver, Charlotte Selina Helledie (Rasmus) and Maja Karoline Helledie (Taus) of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Jenny Marie Little (Michael) of Victoria; great-grandchildren, Ender and Io Dowdall, Eddie and Sam Taylor, Rosalie and Delphine Loewen, Aurora and Nico Little, and Lilli Holtug Helledie; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Ken, sister Eileen, and son-in-law Ken.

Dorothy’s children express their sincere gratitude to all those who aided, supported, and cared for their mother through the decades.

A Celebration of Dorothy’s Life will be held in the Spring. In memory of Dorothy, you are encouraged to carry out acts of kindness to people in need in your own family or community.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Dorothy’s family here.

In living memory of Dorothy Little, 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.