DOROTHY JEAN (YOUNG) LISS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

DOROTHY JEAN (YOUNG) LISS Peacefully, around noon on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at 85 years of age, Dorothy Jean (Young) Liss fell off her perch . She was predeceased by her husband Stanley; son Johnny; grandson Philippe; mother Jean; father Perce; and her brothers, Scott and Bob. Left behind to mourn her loss are her children, Mari-Jean (Herb), Margo (Daniel), Barb (Darrel), Robert, and Pat (Jamie); 12 grand-children; 13 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and in-laws and out-laws. There was also a special place in Mom's heart for Bridget and her girls. Mom spent the early years of her life between Winnipeg and the Cypress River area. She often reminisced about the excitement of tailing around with her big brothers as they explored the city, or of watching her uncles and cousins play baseball on some grassy country field. At age 11, Mom moved to Flin Flon with our Granny where they quickly wove themselves into the social fabric of what was then a booming mining town. Mom was blessed with wonderful talents and she threw herself into the cultural life of Flin Flon as a member of various choirs, most notably the Northminster United Church choir, Generation Gap and the Flin Flon Glee Club where she sang and acted, directed and produced musicals for many years. Mom taught her children and grandchildren that one should not hide your talent under a bushel, that being a Mother was a calling above all else, that social justice was a lifetime commitment and that the love of God would give us strength and peace. Mom would often say if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all . And Mom also enjoyed a good party. Mom and Dad hosted many raucous gatherings at the family cabin at Bakers Narrows featuring friends on the gutbucket and jaw harp, Granny Jean pounding out tunes on the piano and any number of vocalists, talented or other-wise, singing everything from Hank Snow and the Beatles to Broadway show tunes and operatic arias. Mom loved the cabin, the loons, and her flower gardens there and through her we learned an appreciation for nature and the wonders it holds. In their later years she and Dad puttered around at the lake , usually preparing for the arrival of kids and grandkids. Dad's passing made Mom's annual trek to the cabin bittersweet, but she continued to tend her gardens and sing. If you listen you can hear her now. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 15 at 11:00 a.m. at Sturgeon Creek United Church, 207 Thompson Drive, Winnipeg, MB and another later this summer in Flin Flon. In lieu of flowers, should friends so desire, donations may be made to The Dorothy Jean Liss Scholarship in care of 2574 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, R3J 0H8. Our family wishes to thank the staff and folks at the Metropolitan Kiwanis Courts on Ness Avenue where Mom was so happy, her home care helpers, and the doctors, nurses and medical staff of Fifth Floor North at the Grace Hospital for their wonderful care and support of our mother. NEIL BARDAL INC. (204) 949 2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 12, 2010