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DOROTHY MERCEDES FRENCH
Born: Dec 10, 1928
Date of Passing: May 25, 2024
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryDOROTHY MERCEDES FRENCH
Mom was the daughter of John Henry Rudd and Mary Downie Lamont. She and her older brother Jack grew up on Kildonan Drive in the house that her father built. She attended Lord Wolseley School. She and Jack spent their summers at the family cottage at Grand Beach and with their friends at the Kildonan Canoe Club. Theirs, by her own account, was a happy childhood.
On August 11, 1951, Mom married her high school sweetheart, Leonard French. They were a typical young couple in the Post-War Boom era. They quickly bought a house and started a family. Len was born in 1954. Norm was born in 1956.
Mom was happiest as a full-time stay-at-home mother and wife. She was an accomplished cook and seamstress. Every meal, which always included a dessert, was made from scratch. She sewed most of her own clothes, made drapes, and slip covers for the furniture.
Mom went back to work after we graduated from high school. She was, in turn, a legal secretary and then a personal secretary. She furthered Dad’s career by hosting dinners and travelling with him to conferences and conventions around the world. She loved to entertain. She was elegant, beautiful, and the consummate hostess.
When grandchildren arrived on the scene Mom happily gave up her outside-the-home career to return to her true passion and calling, helping to raise and care for little ones. She was a hands-on grandma. Not just willing to be involved in their lives but insisting on it. She had them for overnights with breakfast served in bed, baked their favourite cakes for birthdays and celebrations, sewed onesies, knitted sweaters, cooked special meals, attended their games and concerts. She, often together with her good friend and the kids’ other grandma, Alice Mark, took them on incredible trips to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Australia. No parents allowed.
Our mom was a remarkable person. She was fiercely independent, self-sufficient, and accomplished. She lived on her own, with minor assistance, until the past few weeks. As recently as a month ago she was cooking and baking for a family celebration. At the time of her death she was knitting a baby shawl for a soon to be born great-granddaughter.
Mom is survived by her two sons and their families: Len and Susan French, grandson Steven French and Charline Davie, great-grandson Damian Andre French, granddaughter Adria French, grandson Terry French and Megan Dudek, all of Winnipeg; Norm and Sarah French, granddaughter Samantha French and John Price of Canmore, and grandson Andrew French and Eckoe Emerson of Winnipeg.
There will be a private family Celebration of Life at a later date. If friends so desire a gift to the Canadian Mental Health Association (930 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3G 0P8) would be appreciated.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 01, 2024, Jun 01, 2024
Condolences & Memories (6 entries)
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So sorry to hear of Dorothy's passing. My parents were great friends of Len and "Dot" (as my Mom used to refer to her) from their school and KCC days. Later in life, I was able to visit with Dorothy with her friend Ruth Roberts (my aunt) in Oakville and share some great stories. Sending my condolences. - Posted by: Tracy (Roberts) Lapointe (Daughter of friends Eric & Pat Roberts) on: Jul 03, 2024
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My heartfelt condolences to Len, Susan, Norman, Sarah and families. I have the fondest memories of summer times spent between the French and Rudd cottages in Lake of the Woods. Some years ago, I received a phone call from Progresso, Mexico and much to my surprise your mother was visiting with dear friends of mine who reside there! What a small world it truly is! - Posted by: Michael Branton (Family Friend) on: Jun 11, 2024
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My condolences to Norm and Sarah. - Posted by: Denis Rivard (Acquaintance) on: Jun 05, 2024
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My family lived just down the street and I have a lasting memory of Mrs. French from when I was likely 7 or 8 years old; this would be 1970 or thereabouts. I was an entrepreneurial sort and would cut up pieces of paper and go door-to-door on the street and attempt to sell them as bus tickets. I recall Mrs. French being my only patron and feeling quite delighted coming home with a nickel or a dime in my pocket. What a gift to be able to remember this more than a half-century later! - Posted by: Alan Marshall (Former Hazel Dell neighbour) on: Jun 04, 2024
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So saddened by the news. Our relationship with both Dorothy and Len has been so beneficial. I am grateful our paths crossed and I will forever cherish memories of both and the friendship we shared. Dorothy was a beautiful woman and Len a valued and supportive friend. I offer my heartfelt condolences to family and friends believing Dorothy and Len are together in heaven. - Posted by: Garry Harland (Friend) on: Jun 02, 2024
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I worked at Leonard French back in the 90s and I recall Dorothy visiting every so often. She was such a lovely, classy lady - and I recall marvelling how tough Manager Norm became such a complete softy around her! I also recall seeing her walk down the hallway with Len and thought they were just the sweetest couple! My heartfelt condolences. - Posted by: Sandra Decock (Former Employee at Leonard French & Co. Ltd.) on: Jun 01, 2024