Our Dearest Mother Dorothy Shawyer:
Dorothy Mary Shawyer lost her 4-year battle with melanoma on December 13, 2014.
She was born in Vancouver General Hospital November 28, 1926, the first child of Robert and Jenny Higgs. Her younger brother, Doug Higgs, passed away in 2010.
After high school, Dorothy graduated from Pitman Secretarial School and began working at the Employment Office.
Pam, her friend from work, set her up on a blind date with Ed Shawyer. They married in September of 1951 and were together until Ed passed away in January 2009.
Daughters Deborah Ann and Nancy Lee were born between 1953-1954 and the family moved to the little house at the corner of 17th and Rupert Street, where Dorothy remained until 2010 when she moved to a nearby independent living residence. There, she passed the time chatting with new friends, enjoying the meals served in the dining room and having no worries about cooking and cleaning, snow on the stairs, or whether there would be a bus strike.
Dorothy spent the 1950’s and 60’s raising Debbie and Nancy, teaching them to cook and making sure they did their homework. In 1970, she went to work at Eaton’s Warehouse at Renfrew and Broadway. Every year she and Ed attended the staff Christmas shopping night at the downtown Eaton’s store and one year Dorothy was fortunate to win the big draw — a trip to Hawaii. And that began her love of the Hawaiian Islands where she and Ed travelled many times, taking a break now and then to visit Vegas and Reno.
Dorothy was a loving mother; a kind, generous and accepting woman; and a stoic and strong person. Although quite shy, her sweet and simple demeanor along with her contagious smile encouraged people to approach her.
She will be missed by all who knew her, but especially her two girls.
~ We hold you in our hearts, warm and safe now Mom. You were the BEST Mom who taught us how to be strong women. We love you Sweetheart ~ Debbie and Nancy.
There will be no services but we ask that friends and family, who are moved to do so, consider sending a donation In Memory of Dorothy Shawyer to the BC Cancer Foundation.
The doctors and staff at the BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Centre did everything they could to help Mom fight the melanoma and hospice staff at Peace Arch Hospital took care of her in her last days with compassion and empathy for both Dorothy and her daughters.
online at http://bccancerfoundation.com/ways-donate/gift-memory
by phone at 604.877.6040 or toll free 1.888.906.2873
or by mail: cheque made payable to: BC Cancer Foundation.
BC Cancer Foundation; #150 – 686 West Broadway; Vancouver, BC V5Z 1G1
