WALSH, Dorothy Mary (nee CLARKE) - January 31, 1920 - November 14, 2022
Died at the age of 102, just two months shy of 103.
Loving wife, predeceased by David Arthur Patchell and John Walsh.
Loving mother of David (Silken), Edward (Linda) and Gerald (Sue).
Loving adoptive mother to Bob (Marlene deceased), Anne deceased (Frank deceased), Patrick (Elizabeth), Elizabeth (deceased), John (Janice), Sheelagh (JD) and Arthur. Predeceased by brother, Robert (Joy deceased).
Aunt to Cedric (Rhonda) and Ross (Kathy).
Cousin to Betty (George deceased), and Carmen deceased (Chuck deceased).
Grandmother to 13, great-grandmother to 15 and great-great-grandmother to 6.
Dorothy passed peacefully at the Bowmanville hospital with family by her side.
Dorothy's was a long life well lived with lots of love, travel, dedication, happiness and impact on others.
Dorothy was known as a force to be reckoned with.
To all that knew her, Dorothy was formidable both in intellect and character. Special thanks to her care givers, Tammy and Lorraine.
Dorothy lived through many exciting periods of world history, starting as the daughter of homesteaders in Saskatchewan, who soon moved to farm in Milton, Ontario.
She was 9 years old at the start of the Great Depression.
During the Second World War, she was a supervisor at a munitions plant in Toronto, Ontario.
After the war, she headed north to Thunder Bay for an adventure, but later returned to Toronto, where she met and married David Arthur Patchell.
She was widowed when their boys were only 4, 6 and 8, then had to learn a whole new career as an independent bookkeeper to provide for her children.
In the early 70s she met John Walsh. When they married, she became the adoptive mother to his 7 children, with Arthur being the youngest at 7.
At the age of 60 Dorothy took on yet another new career, supporting her son, David (Patch to all), in the Fitness industry, providing bookkeeping and financial knowledge in the development of his business. Eventually Dorothy became the financial controller for GoodLife Fitness and continued to be a financial advisor, mentor, friend and leader to Patch and all the staff at Goodlife and Fit4Less until the time of her death.
Throughout her life Dorothy played host to many new Canadians and others just trying to find their way in the challenging life in Toronto, often providing accommodations, food and great advice.
Dorothy always had a good time with many friends, often hosting large family and friend gatherings in her home and at the family cottage.
Dorothy will be greatly missed by all her family, friends and the people she worked with throughout her long life.
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