GAYLE TIANA NORTHCOTT

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

GAYLE TIANA NORTHCOTT
June 12, 1943 - January 19, 2020

Gayle (Dolly Dolphin) lived a long and adventurous life in spite of what others may have seen as insurmountable challenges. She was the daughter of loving parents, Ruby and Baldy Northcott. Gayle lived independently her entire life and passed away peacefully in hospital after a very brief stay.
In her own words she felt "she was put on this earth to make people smile" and that she did abundantly. Those who knew her were blessed to have known a real-life angel. After successfully completing a business course she was grateful to work at the Canadian Wheatboard in what she described as a very good work environment. After early retirement due to her dual vision and hearing loss and a few years in isolation Gayle found her Deaf-Blind family and went on to be a fearless advocate for her community. In 1993 she was a founding member of the Manitoba Deaf-Blind Association (MDBA). She served as chairperson on their Board as well as chairperson of the steering committee for the Resource Centre for Manitobans who are Deaf-Blind (RCMDB). She had many firsts in her life as a Deaf-Blind woman. She was the first to undergo surgery in Havana, Cuba for Retinitis Pigmentosa and the first to have a cochlear implant in Ottawa, Ontario. She attended many conferences on the subject of deaf-blindness to further her knowledge and to make many lifelong friends. She was a member of the camp committee and on her 75th birthday she zip lined at the first ever Canadian Deaf-Blind camp held at Camp Manitou here in Winnipeg.
She learned how to use a computer in her 60s allowing her access to information and many friends around the world. Gayle put others before herself and was an amazing role model. She was compassionate, very smart, humorous, kind and generous.

She will be missed.

We will celebrate her life on March 28 at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch at the Atrium located in the Assiniboine Park Pavilion, 55 Pavilion Crescent.
If you wish, a donation may be made to the Resource Centre for Manitobans who are Deaf-Blind 228-285 Pembina Hwy., Winnipeg, MB R3L 2E1.

Waving her fins and tail to you!
Along with beak kisses.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 07, 2020