Dorothy Julia Devine

DEVINE, Dorothy Julia (nee Delaney) - (1923-2017) - Predeceased by her husband Gerald, three sisters and seven brothers, could be described as nothing short of a firecracker. Dorothy was born October 7, 1923, in Manotick Ontario. As the seventh child of a large farming family Dorothy learned the value of hard work, the importance of family and the generosity of giving to the community. She was a tireless advocate for a variety of causes in Pembroke over the years and pioneered working outside of the home for a generation of women. Dorothy was a dedicated political organizer, as both an elected representative and eventually as the first female Deputy Mayor in Pembroke. Those who worked by her side knew that she could be a force to be reckoned with. Dorothy boldly represented those who needed a voice or those facing economic or cultural barriers. Her faith sustained her throughout life and guided her efforts on behalf of St. Columbkille’s Cathedral and the Auxiliary of the Pembroke Regional Hospital. Unexpectedly a single mother to a young family of five, Dorothy operated the Voyageur Bus Terminal in Pembroke for over 50 years. She loved cards, excelling at bridge and euchre, and most of all Dorothy enjoyed time spent at her cottage in Desjardinsville, Quebec. She knew how to get rid of “hooey” and what to say to lighten the mood, or get her point across, whichever could be deemed most needed in the moment. Dorothy didn’t just enter a room, she filled it with her joyful presence. She was tenacious, fiery and a proud mother to Carole (Joseph Conway), Michael (Debra Metzger), Susan, Paul (Cindy Webb) and Mary (Terry Olsheski). She will be missed by her friends and her large extended family, including her grandchildren Megan (Cameron Scott), Mary Ellen (Adam Melynk) and Matthew Conway; Emily and Daniel Devine; Colin, Philip and Rachel Wheaton; Ashley, Kimberly and Brittany Devine; Mark, Alyson, Kathryn, and Laura Olsheski, and her great grandson Elliott Conway-Scott as well as her many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the Sisters of St. Joseph, Les Soeurs de la Visitation, Dr. Sylvie Cantin as well as the caring staff of the St. Joseph’s Motherhouse for the love and support given to Dorothy over the last three years. Dorothy will be resting at the Neville Funeral Home 491 Isabella St., Pembroke, ON, K8A 5T8 (613) 732-7481 on Friday, September 29th, 2017 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and Saturday, September 30th, 2017 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Columbkille’s Cathedral, Pembroke on Saturday, September 30th, 2017 at 11 a.m. Your family wants to thank you for your acts of generosity and compassion and wishes you well on your journey home Dorothy… we’ll be humming along with you to your favourite Irish tunes, and we are sure there is a card game in your future. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Pembroke Regional Hospital Auxiliary or the CWL of St. Columbkille Cathedral would be greatly appreciated.