Dorothee Smith

January 27th, 1950 - Friday, March 10th, 2023

Dorothee (Martens) Smith, passed away suddenly but peacefully on March 10, 2023, at the age of 73.

Dorothee was the youngest of 5 children born to Vera & Henk Martens in High River, Alberta on January 27, 1950. She had a happy small-town childhood with her brothers and sisters. Dorothee was a high school cheerleader and still maintained childhood friendships, including a pen pal in England since the age of 9 until she passed. Dorothee moved to Calgary, Alberta after high school to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. She trained and worked at the General Hospital for several years.

Dorothee married at the age of 21 and had 4 children; son, Chris (predeceased Nov 6, 2021); his sons, Nevan, Holden, and their mother, Janice; son Greg (Shelley), their children, Marissa, Alexis, Nolan & Connor; daughter Marnie (Blaise), their children, Rennie, Silver & Fisher; and son Bryan (Michelle), and his daughter, Taiya.

Dorothee is also survived by her siblings, Dolores (Dennis) Tegenkamp, Rick (Michelle) Martens, June (Tom) Johnson, and Albert (Donna) Martens, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dorothee was a mother before anything else, her life was dedicated to her children & grandchildren. She often worked two jobs to ensure her children wanted for nothing. She was always a call or text away anytime of the night or day. You would find Grandma Dot at all her grandchildren’s sports or school concerts. She travelled for many ringette and hockey tournaments. She was a grandma like no other and maintained close relationships with all 10 of her beloved grandchildren.

Dorothee loved music at a young age with the Beatles being her favorite. She instilled a love of music, concerts, theatre, movies, and books in her children. She attended more than 100 concerts and theatre productions in her time, including Broadway in Manhattan, New York. There is nothing like going to the movies.

Dorothee took her children to Invermere, BC every year when they were young and made many treasured memories. She still went there whenever she could with grandchildren. In recent years she was able to travel to Las Vegas, California, New York, and Nova Scotia. She loved every minute of life and had no regrets.

Dorothee only retired recently at age 69 but was always on the go spending weekends at her children’s houses as often as possible. She was a famous Grandma Dot and Auntie Dorothee to many. She gave attention to everyone and always made you feel the most important.

Mom, you are truly one of a kind and made a lifetime of memories for us. You will be forever missed and leave a huge gap in our lives.

Celebration of life to be announced at a later date.

How to be Dorothee Smith

Travel. Take your young kids to Invermere every summer. Say ‘You Nut’. Never be late with greeting cards for loved ones. Give goodies to the grandkids every holiday. Work hard all your life. Be a ‘caregiver’. Enjoy dark rum and Sambuca. Share your Netflix password. Socialize. Always ‘be there’ for your family and friends. Develop a love for reading magazines, listening to music, going to concerts, watching movies, and eating hot chicken wings. Be generous. Write Christmas letters. Love Men. Always take a family photo. Dedicate most of your weekends to attending your grandkids sporting events. Be the baby of your siblings. Starlite. Be a Belieber. Have sleepovers with your grandkids. Laugh often. Talk to your only daughter on the phone as often as possible. Have a very special relationship with each of your three sons. Be a favourite Aunt. Have a lifelong penpal. Watch the Beatles perform live… twice. Save the ticket stubs too. Adore cats. Always give hugs goodbye. Say ‘I love you’.

To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Dorothee please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.