Obituary of Dorothy Lillian Galbraith

With profound sadness our family announces the passing of Dorothy Lillian (nee Richards) Galbraith, which occurred on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Bobby’s Hospice, after a period of failing health. Dorothy was born on December 30, 1923 and was the only daughter of  the late Jacqueline Richards and Francis Irvine and lived her younger years in the Millidgeville area, attending Alexandria School, and graduated from Saint John Vocational School, in 1943. Mom was so proud of her schooling, and is something she passed along to her own children.

Mom is survived by her three children Sheila Davenport (Wayne – brother of Jeffrey), David, and Hyla Davenport (Jeffrey – brother of Wayne), grandchildren Lesley Davenport-Brown (Jason), Erinn Thebeau (Matthew), Kyle Davenport (Laura), Emily Davenport (Sean Perry), Elizabeth Kingston (Alex), and Rebecca Cassidy (Matthew), eight great-grandchildren – Nolan, Liam and Carleigh Thebeau; Wyatt and Owen Davenport; Jack and Daniel Kingston, and Drew Perry, and several nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was predeceased by her loving husband Bayard of sixty-six years, (d. July 26, 2014), her parents, her sisters-in-law, and brother-in-law, and their spouses.

Mom was a stay-at-home mom, of the post-war generation, and provided the best homelife (and cooking) for us and our dad, as she fed and protected us during our growing years. Mom and dad’s teamwork of making jams, jellies and pickles was legendary, as they worked so well together (and now we kids are doing the same to carry on the tradition). Prior to her marriage in 1948, mom worked for Drs. N.C. and T.E. Grant as office administrator, and even went back to work years later for about a month as a hospital ward clerk, but the call for her family was stronger and the job didn’t continue. Mom enjoyed a quiet life and was an avid reader, instilling in her children the love of books, writing and music, and of being faithful in activities we joined. Mom penned many poems over the years titled “In My Backyard”, and she kept a diary for many years. Mom was the ‘go to’ contact for our family history, and she had a sharp mind right to the end. Mom held a strong faith in Portland United Church, and taught Sunday School, and was a member of the Jane Henderson Unit of the United Church Women, where she was treasurer for over forty years, and enjoyed the camaraderie and church life with her fellow members.

Mom was an inspiration to all of us, and she held a positive attitude, as she was a confidante and one you could always rely on to provide encouragement. She was very thoughtful to all her family and friends, and her small gifts for each for birthdays, anniversaries, Easter, and Christmas were lovingly made and received by many. She never missed an occasion for these special times for us all. 

A special thanks goes to the Extra-Mural nurses who attended mom while she was at home, and during the stay with Hyla at her home; thanks to Monicka for her caregiving, and thanks to the doctors and caring staff nurses and volunteers who attending so thoughtfully during mom’s time at the Hospice.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB, (634-7424). A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 28, 2022 from Brenan’s Chapel at 11:00 am, followed by a gathering in the reception centre. Interment will follow the reception, with a graveside service at Ocean View Memorial Gardens, Latimore Lake Road, Saint John, NB.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Portland United Church, or to Bobby’s Hospice would be appreciated. Online condolences may be placed at www.BrenansFH.com