DOROTHY ELIZABETH TAYLOR (RAWLINSON)

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DOROTHY ELIZABETH TAYLOR (nee RAWLINSON) It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Dorothy, on February 9, 2008, after a heart attack and following a determined and graceful battle with natural complications from heart surgery. Mom is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth (Michael), her son, Bruce (Colleen), her grandchildren Quinn, Tess, Hilary, Annabelle, Hannah and Gabriella, and by Michael's children Morgan and Matthew. She was predeceased by her parents, Bess and Philip, her brother, Hugh, and in 1989 by her husband, Gabe Taylor. Born in Winnipeg in 1928, Mom grew up in St. Vital, graduating from Norwood Collegiate, then working at Great-West Life Assurance Company until her marriage to Gabe in 1951. After a brief time in St. Catharines, Ontario, they returned to Winnipeg to raise their family. During her lifetime, her passions included painting and antiques. She was for many years a member of the Antique Arts Club and her paintings hang in her home and elsewhere. She was forever intellectually curious - she never stopped reading, watching, listening and acquiring knowledge and information. She journaled her thoughts to create a wealth of insight and thoughtfulness to pass on to her family. Mom's constant companions were faith and prayer. She read and learned about faith, prayer and religion, and these guided her life. She was for many years involved in and a volunteer at St. George's Anglican Church. In her later years, she took communion in her home and investigated other ministries. Turning her beliefs into action, she was a regular and generous supporter of programs and charities that supported faith ministries, children in need, animals and the homeless. She proudly supported her granddaughter Hannah's Ladybug Foundation. For more than 20 years, Mom enjoyed her Pine Moon Bay cottages at Clearwater Bay. Independent and determined, she spent summers looking after her cottages, enjoying the lake, the birds and the peacefulness, punctuated by the occasional boat ride to take in the surroundings on a quiet evening. Of everything in her life, her greatest purpose and passion were reserved for her children. She gave her treasured children the irreplaceable gift of unconditional love and commitment, which will nourish us, our families, and our children's families forever. Mom lived the last 45 years in her beloved home in River Heights. It became the focal point of her life, and a testament to her self-reliance. She loved the wild birds she fed daily, her dogs, Missy then Buddy, and her very kind neighbours, who were always there to lend a helping hand. Our mother died with courage and grace. In her last days in hospital, she just wanted to go home. God took her before that was possible, but she is now at home in heaven, with her kind and generous heart intact again; with her wisdom and her many gifts, to live forever in our hearts and at peace, and to watch over her family with love and grace. Our mother and grandmother is just a prayer away. We all love you, Mom. We would like to especially thank Roy Drewett, our mother's very special friend and helper, for his many years of kind help. Thanks also to Dr. Darren Freed and the staffs of the Cardiac ICU and Cardiac Ward at St. Boniface Hospital for their skill, kindness and exhaustive efforts. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 16, 2008, at St. George's Anglican Church, Grosvenor at Wilton, with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, may we suggest a donation to The Ladybug Foundation, P.O. Box 21054, Winnipeg, MB R3R 3R2, or online at www.ladybugfoundation.ca, or to another favourite charity, World Vision.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 12, 2008