Dorothy Theodora DIVALL

HERZOG , Dorothy Theodora December 31, 1931 - September 20, 2009 It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the death of our beloved Mother, Nana, Sister and best friend, Dorothy Theodora Herzog (nee Divall). She passed away suddenly but peacefully at the Foothills Hospital after a long battle with cardiovascular disease. She will be lovingly remembered by her children Sandra Stirling (Bill) of Smith, AB, James Garrow of Calgary, and Roslie Main (David) of Calgary; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Dorothy will also be sorely missed by her brother John Divall (Bev) of Madeira Park, BC; sisters Bella Damsgard of Claresholm, Mary Hamilton of Chilliwack, BC, Ruth Thom (Irving) of Everson, WA, Mona Blythe (Beau) of Chilliwack, and Loretta Riggens of Abbotsford, BC, plus many many cousins, nieces and nephews. Dorothy was predeceased by her parents Charles and Martha Divall; and three sisters Amy Wagner, Betty DeKoster and Grace Twa. Dorothy always said that her greatest source of strength came from her large close-knit family. Dorothy was born in Nipiwin, SK, the sixth of ten children. As a child of the Great Depression she learned early that you can do most anything with limited resources as long as you have an adventurous spirit. This adventurous spirit took her to many places throughout the western provinces during her life. In 1948 she came to Calgary where she spent most of her life. Her and her sister Bella had many escapes in the area dance halls. Her best advice being: always make sure you end up with a fella with a car at the end of the night because walking through snow drifts in high heels is no fun! Dorothy had tremendous strength and a great sense of humour which helped her to weather the ups and downs of two marriages, the birth of three children and the years of hard work required to support and care for her family. To her, the greatest thing in life was family. It was not until 1990 that she could finally slow down and retire. She often said that those years she lived in Claresholm, AB where the most peaceful and happy ones in her whole life. A few days before she passed, Dorothy said she was blessed to have lived the life she had and had few regrets. Most of us should be so lucky. Death is nothing at all, I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name; speak to me in the easy way you always used. Put no difference into your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed, at the little jokes we always enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort, without the ghost of a shadow in it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolute unbroken continuity. What is death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you for an interval somewhere very near just around the corner All is well. Nothing is past; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again! - Canon Henry Scott-Holland, 1847-1918, Canon of St. Paul's Cathedral One of Dorothy's passions was stories. Please come share some stories of Dorothy's life. She loved a great story. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects at PIERSON'S FUNERAL SERVICE, 4121 - 17 Avenue S.E. on Friday, September 25 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Memorial Service in her honour will be held on Saturday, September 26 at North Haven Community Centre, 5003 North Haven Drive N.W., Calgary at 3:00 p.m. A light luncheon will follow. The family expresses their sincere thanks to Drs. Lauf and Temple and the many other Doctors, Nurses and Caregivers at the Foothills Medical Centre for their excellent care of their mother during her illnesses. If friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to Dorothy's favourite charity Servants Anonymous Society of Calgary, 1008 - 14 Street S.E., Calgary, T2G 3K3. Messages of condolence may be forwarded to the family at www.piersons.ca . Arrangements are in care of PIERSON'S FUNERAL SERVICE. Telephone: 403-235-3602. Published in the Calgary Herald from 9/22/2009- 9/25/2009