FAROOQUE, Dorothy (née Purves) - It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our mum, Dorothy Margaret Farooque.
Dorothy left us quite suddenly, at the age of 84, in Mississauga, Ontario, after a swift and unsparing illness.
She fought hard but departed this life on September 16, 2021 with both of her children by her side.
She was preceded in death by her husband Farooque and her sisters, Elsie Briggs, Jean Millen, and June Thiel.
She will be desperately missed by her children Lara Korba and Ian Farooque and her grandchildren, Charlotte and Liam Korba.
Born in Preston, Lancashire, UK, on October 24, 1936, she lived a life that was the stuff of great novels.
Daring and fierce, she challenged norms and was well ahead of her time with her independence and her outlook on life.
Born just before WWII, Mum carried a gas mask to school as a little girl and lived through bombings and rations as German U-boats cut off supplies to England.
It left her with a wise frugality, the knowledge that she could handle anything, and an appreciation for the fragility of life, underscored by the death of her husband at a young age.
She learned and leaned on her Anglican faith throughout.
Mum met Dad in a London jazz club in the early 1960s and fell deeply in love as evidenced by the tenderness and passion in their love letters.
This young, English woman travelled to Uganda by herself and married Dad in Kampala, despite the enormous challenges facing them as a couple from different backgrounds and religions.
They chose Canada to raise their children and immigrated here in 1965.
Dad died at age 43, leaving her a young widow and raising two children alone in a country with no family.
She taught children for nearly 40 years in England, Uganda, and Canada, and by age 25 was already a Deputy Headmistress in East London. Most of her career was spent teaching English as a Second Language to new Canadian children.
There was a tough boy who got into so many fights that most teachers found him a challenge. Mum asked to take him and was able to channel his energy in such a constructive way that John Stracey went on to become the welterweight world champion in boxing!
Mum, you will be missed more than words can describe - your voice, your smile, your mischievous laugh, your rapier wit, your phenomenal example of strength and independence, and your unwavering support through all of life's trials. How will we go on without you, Mum?
Viewing will be held at Turner and Porter Funeral Home, Mississauga, on Tuesday, September 21st, between 5-7 p.m. (registration required), and a funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 22nd, at 1 p.m. at St. Hilary's Church, 2055 Hurontario St., Mississauga, Ontario.
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