Dorothy Isobel (Wherrett) Halliday

On Sunday, November 21, 2021, at 105 years old, Dorothy Isobel Halliday died peacefully with family beside her.  Dorothy was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Adam (Al) Halliday.
Born in Shoal Lake, Manitoba on March 2, 1916, Dorothy was the daughter of Francis and Letitia Wherrett, sister to Ellen, Mary, and William Wherrett, spouse to Al Halliday, and beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother to three generations: Margaret Halliday (Gil), Crawford Halliday (Diane); Jennifer Chapman (Leigh), Kyle Muir (Ellie), Matthew Muir (Breanna), Adria Park (Jeff), Shannon Halliday (Cory); James, Benjamin and Adam Chapman, Vivian and Maxine Muir, Aiden and Hudson Muir, and Aria Park.

Dorothy earned her teaching certificate in Normal School in Winnipeg, Manitoba and taught in multi-grade one room schools in rural Manitoba until after the Second World War.  Following the war, Dorothy married Al Halliday on what they both remembered as a bitterly cold day on January 12, 1946.  Once married, Dorothy continued to work as a substitute teacher as she and Al and their two children, Margaret and Crawford, moved between Winnipeg, Selkirk, Fort Frances, and Dauphin.  Keenly and genuinely interested in others, wherever she lived Dorothy made lifelong friends.  Dorothy taught adult education in Dauphin until her retirement. In retirement she and Al travelled extensively through Canada, Great Britain and the United States.  In the final four years of their lives together they moved back to Winnipeg where they met many new friends and played many rounds of Bridge.

Dorothy was an active member of the UCW in the United Church.  She and Al were avid Bridge players, travelers, readers, walkers, lovers of nature, and amateur ornithologists. Dorothy found wisdom and inspiration in words and could recite from memory a relevant snippet of poetry or line from Shakespeare for all occasions.  She had a quick mind and a sharp wit.  She loved puzzles in the form of crosswords, Bridge hands, math problems, and extended genealogical research. Her memory for birth dates and familial relationships to distant cousins past and present, for rivers and cities in far away places, for literary quotes and license plates amazed us all.

Dorothy’s grandchildren remember her unflagging optimism, her political savvy, her quick wit, her stories of Whompadoozles, her willingness to help with homework and patiently read favourite children’s books many times over. They remember sneaking frozen cookies from the basement deep freeze at Grandma and Grandpa’s house and Grandma’s mock indignation when she’d find the empty tins. They remember that she always had a kind word, bracing advice, and a quick hug during difficult moments.  Dorothy cuddled and sang to all of her great grandchildren - some of whom remember going for rides on Great Grandma’s walker when she was well into her late 90s. She is greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
The family thanks Dr. Mathison and all of the staff at the Dauphin Personal Care Home for their years of care and friendship.

“I wandered lonely as a cloud / That floats on high o’er vales and hills / 
When all at once I saw a crowd / A host of golden daffodils” - Wordsworth

Dorothy’s final resting place will be in the family plot at Shoal Lake Cemetery.  The funeral services will be held at Westminster United Church in Shoal Lake, Manitoba at a date that will be announced in the spring of 2022.

Should friends so desire, donations in memory of Dorothy may be made to  The Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba  or Friends of Riding Mountain National Park.

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