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DOROTHY RANKIN
Born: Jan 16, 1919
Date of Passing: Jul 02, 2024
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryDOROTHY RANKIN
Our beloved mother, Dorothy Daymond Rankin slipped peacefully away on July 2, 2024. Her final thoughts were with her large extended family, wishing them all her love.
She was born in Saskatoon, SK on January 16, 1919, living most of her 105 years in Winnipeg, MB.
Her father, Arthur William Cassidy, ran a large construction company in Western Canada and her mother, Marjory, worked as a nurse in the numerous cities that they would live in with their young family. From her parents, Dorothy and her sister Ruth learned that hard work and an active social and family life were essential. She graduated from the University of Saskatchewan, with a Bachelor of Arts. There she met a group of women with whom she remained close friends with through the years, thanks to the University Women’s Club.
Dorothy would meet her husband Gordon Keith Rankin (d. 1990) in Saskatoon and were married in 1942. Their son William Keith was born in Vancouver in 1942, while his father was overseas fighting in the Second World War. After the war, the family settled in Brandon, MB welcoming Ian in 1947 and Joan in 1951. Keith and Dorothy would move their family one last time to Winnipeg, MB in 1955 and would open their home to their nephew Jan and niece Seonaid who would live with them as young adults.
Dorothy worked as the Registrar at Balmoral Hall for many years and later at the pathology lab at Victoria Hospital. Retired, she became a full-time volunteer at the Health Sciences Centre, and with some friends she joined a group of volunteers known as the Pan-A-Maniacs, supporting not only the Pan Am Games but numerous organizations around Winnipeg.
Dorothy and her husband Keith loved to travel. They would take February off and road trip throughout North America, stopping to visit family and friends as they drove to Florida and Mexico. She would return often to Vancouver, making near yearly trips to visit her cousin Edith and family on the coast. She would spend a portion of her winters in Naples, Florida with family, sitting by the pool at Bear’s Paw or Naples Bath & Tennis, going to the beach on Marco Island, having a sunset beverage at the Beach Club and playing mini putt with her grandchildren. She would spend her summers at Lake of the Woods, driving down on the weekends, stopping along the way at Hadashville for a cup of coffee and a visit with her friend Merrill Napper.
She found joy in travelling to the many places her family lived and worked, from visiting her brother-in-law in Japan to her grandson’s wedding in Sweden at age 90; she travelled the world, never missing a big event. She was always up for a road trip, even if only around Winnipeg, joining her family as they did their daily errands, hilariously commenting, “Onwards, Jeeves!” as she was chauffeured around the city.
She was always happiest spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren – often sharing a long lunch or dinner out. The staple was the infamous Family Saturday Lunches. The location varied over the years, but the gathering of family was the constant. On Saturdays, Dorothy would be at the table, with a glass of house white with three ice cubes, and a cup of black coffee. The family would arrive early (Keith) or late (Pat), and grandchildren and great-grandchildren would come and go, depending on hockey or dance class, spending the better part of Saturday afternoon together, catching up and sharing stories. At the end of a very long lunch, or the start of dinner for some, Dorothy would head off in her distinctive teal Jetta, and later her bright blue Rabbit.
Her other loves included correcting her family's grammar, crossword puzzles, needlepoint (we all have personalized Christmas stockings), colourful sweaters, funky socks and a large collection of insect-inspired brooches.
Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, Arthur William and Marjory Cassidy, her sister, Ruth Christopherson, her husband, Gordon Keith Rankin, her son, Keith Rankin and his wife Patricia, and her granddaughter, Siobhan Richardson. She is survived by her son, Ian Rankin (Patricia Bailey) and daughter Joan Richardson, as well as her grandchildren: Andrew Rankin (Alli), Catherine Rankin Banks (Kevin), Anthony Rankin (Caroline), Sabrina Rankin, James Richardson (Paul), Raif Richardson (Zoë), Cassidy Miller (Nicholas), Sprague Richardson (Sydney) and her 14 great-grandchildren who fondly call her GGMA.
Dorothy maintained her independence in later life, living at her home on Queenston Street until she was 94. She then continued living an adventurous life through the support of daily visits from family, in-person and virtually, along with the support of an amazing team of caregivers, led by Rose and Rose Ann.
(Grandma, sorry if this grammar is not up to snuff.
We tried…but them seats up there ain’t got no people in them.)
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 20, 2024, Jul 20, 2024
Condolences & Memories (3 entries)
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Dear Joan and family, My sincere condolences on the passing of your magnificent mother. I admired her and the strong mother-daughter bond you two had. She was always encouraging and supportive of you, and you are a reflection of her fine qualities. May she rest in peace after a long life well-lived. - Posted by: Dorothy (now Astrid) Ahlgren (friend of Joan) on: Jul 20, 2024
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Bob and I were saddened to read of your Mom’s/grandma’s and ggma’s death. At the same time we were amazed at her longevity. My Mom (Merrill Napper) and Dorothy were good friends since your family moved across the bay from us in 1955. Mom always looked forward to Dorothy’s visit at the lake. I remember at a shower for a friend I addressed Dorothy as Mrs. Rankin. She insisted I call her Dorothy as I was now an adult and it was acceptable. I tried it once and nope Dorothy remained Mrs. Rankin to me. I say that with the fondest respect to her. With deepest sympathies, Susan (Napper) and Bob Taylor. - Posted by: Susan (Napper) and Bob Taylor (Family friend) on: Jul 20, 2024
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Dear Joan and all the Rankin and Richardson Family: I am so sorry to hear of your mum's passing. I will always remember your mum, "Mrs. Rankin" to me, very fondly. I remember her at BH in the office sitting behind her type writer with so many papers and books and stuff, at least for a 6 year old, looking very busy. Outside of school as the years passed I would see her occasionally in the city and when my mum was at the Wellington I would see her on a regular basis, mostly in the elevator with her care giver. I always said hello, said who I was and asked how she was. Sometimes I got a response, other times I didn't, LOL, but it was always nice to see her. Your mum was an amazing woman, always on the go and it seems always ready for the next great adventure. Thank you for sharing her story, she will be greatly missed. Yours, Sidney. - Posted by: Sidney Q Macaw (Family Friend of long ago) on: Jul 20, 2024