DOROTHY ELIZABETH LANGTON

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DOROTHY ELIZABETH LANGTON Peacefully on February 6, 2006, at the Middlechurch Home, Dorothy passed away in her 99th year. Dorothy was born June 20, 1907 in Middlechurch, the eldest child of Joseph Balderstone and Agnes Euphemia (nee Cree) Balderstone, early residents of St. Paul (now West St. Paul). She attended West St. Paul School, Prince Edward School in East Kildonan and the Provincial Normal School. Prior to marriage, Dorothy taught at Uppingham School (Vivian) and then at Bird's Hill School as primary teacher from 1931 - 1936. During the 1960's through 1972 Dorothy was pleased to return to the primary classroom as a quarter time relief teacher for Principals Bowman and Wolstencroft at Dr. Hamilton School. Throughout her life, while memory served, Dorothy took keen interest in the lives of all those who taught, and her little Bird's Hill beginners continued to occupy a special place in her heart. On her marriage to Joshua Langton, February 8, 1936, Dorothy and Josh lived briefly at the Langton farm on Isbister Road (now Bowen) and thereafter in the village of Bird's Hill until Josh's passing in 1997 and Dorothy's move to the Middlechurch Home in May, 1998. Both Dorothy and Josh were truly content with life in Bird's Hill and their time spent at Dorothy Lake in the Whiteshell where they enjoyed nature in a serene and picturesque setting. Throughout their 61 years of marriage, Josh and Dorothy were staunch supporters of the Bird's Hill United Church and Dorothy was actively involved in the UCW for many years. While growing up, Dorothy enjoyed swimming, rowing, skating, tennis, barnyard baseball and riverbank tobogganing, all of them activities which would prepare her for the six mile per day walk to and from Bird's Hill necessitated by teaching duties at that location. Dorothy also found great pleasure in performing for the captive audience her younger siblings provided. As well, Dorothy embraced opportunities in her home for both reading and music, acquiring in the process formidable linguistic skills and an ability to play the piano for her own amusement and accompaniment at Christmas Concerts and other functions as necessary. Dorothy loved doing crossword puzzles and she also enjoyed needlework (embroidery, piecework and crocheting) and baking, much to the edification of siblings and, later, her own children and grandchildren. The family wish to acknowledge all those who provided exemplary care at the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg while Mum was on B2, N1 and West2. She very much felt at home there, not only because The Home represented a return to her roots but also because it provided safe haven and a true sense of belonging. Dorothy is survived by children Jim (Barbara), grandson Robert (Maria) and great grandchild Annabelle; Glen (Lori), granddaughters Shauna Hjorleifson and Michelle (Andre) Dequier; Betty Riddoch (Carman), granddaughter Stacey (Michael) Warf, great grandchildren Joshua, Sarah, Matthew and Meghan Warf, and granddaughter Jacqui Riddoch (Jason). She is also survived by her sister Grace Balderstone; sisters-in-law Estelle Langton and Ruth Thomson; brother-in-law Fred Parrish; and dear family friend Eleanor Johnston; plus nieces, nephews and great grands too numerous to count. She was predeceased by her husband Josh; brother John (Chic) and Ena Balderstone; brother Joseph (Bud) and Edna Balderstone, sister Phame and Tom Emes; and sisters Eleanor, Georgina and Marjorie Balderstone. She was also predeceased by Josh's siblings (Wenman, Stephen, Ralph, Alfred, Fred, Murray, Sophia, Gertrude Linney, Elizabeth MacBeth, Anne Edgington, Ethel Parrish) and their spouses. Cremation has taken place. The service in celebration of Dorothy's long and full life will be held at the Bird's Hill United Church on Saturday, February 11, at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Bonita Garrett officiating. Reception to follow. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so wish, donations may be made in Dorothy's memory to The Memorial Fund, Bird's Hill United Church, 2105 Burton Ave., East St. Paul, MB, R2E 0J8 or to a charity of one's choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 09, 2006