DOROTHY JEAN TACIUM (GUYATT)

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DOROTHY JEAN TACIUM
(née GUYATT)
June 5, 1929 – November 7, 2020

Our beloved mother, Dorothy Tacium, passed away on Saturday, November 7, 2020, at the age of 91.
Dorothy lived a long and healthy life, focusing her formidable energies on caring for others, and making her corner of the world a more beautiful and comfortable place. She was happiest when busy, always keen to meet and get to know people. What mattered to her most, was to devote herself to the well-being of those around her.
Dorothy was born at a rural gas station and general store, outside of Bassano, Alberta, the third child of Charles Guyatt and Alice Brookes. In 1940, her family moved to Thunder Bay (Fort William), Ontario, where she studied nursing, graduating with a silver medal in the class of 1950 while making several lifelong friends.
She married Edward Carl in 1952, a marriage that lasted for 64 years until his death in 2016. "Dot and Ted" gave everything they had to ensure their family's well-being.
She worked as a surgical nurse at McKellar Hospital, until taking early retirement in 1967, when the family moved to Winnipeg. This was a new beginning, as she branched out in various projects, such as curating a high-quality collection of women's gowns ranging from the late 1800s to the 1930s. For a number of years she hosted retro fashion shows in churches, shopping malls and Eaton stores around Winnipeg, recruiting friends and family to help out with modelling and commentary.
Her discriminating eye for colour and design showed in the historical descriptions she wrote up for each outfit. She was stylish and elegant in her daily life as well, and loved to dress up for Sundays and special occasions.
From the age of 50, she put her nursing skills back to work, providing expert round-the-clock care for many years to her son, Kenneth, after a car accident left him quadriplegic at the age of 22.
Dorothy's faith was her cornerstone. For many years she was an active member of the Windsor Park Evangelical Free Church. She participated in administrative and creative roles with the Christian Women's Clubs in the city, making dear friends along the way. Her self-effacing yet determined spirit and belief in the importance of care and kindness remain an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
Dorothy was a believer in the importance of the written word. She felt that all children should be introduced to books, and have free access to as many as often as possible. She began volunteering as library assistant at Van Belleghem Elementary School in 1974, and continued at Niakwa Place School, every Friday from September 1979 to June 2014, when her failing eyesight caused her to reluctantly step aside.
Dorothy was our adored mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. Her final months were difficult, due to increasing frailness in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are grateful for her spiritual convictions and the love that carried her forward. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Albert (1925-1930) and Maurice (1927-1997), husband, Edward Carl, son, Ken (1957-2012); and leaves in mourning her son, David and daughter, Debra, grandsons, Joël and Zachary, nieces, Patricia and Susan, nephews, John and Edward, grandnieces and nephews including John and Ashley.
Special thanks goes out to family friends, in particular Peggy, as well as Jennifer, John and Pauline for their precious support.

Family and friends may sign a
Book of Condolence at www.glenlawn.ca.

Glen Lawn Funeral Home
204-982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 14, 2020