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Dorothy Olivia Van-Lane Obituary

Brought to you by Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home

Dorothy Olivia Van-Lane

Newmarket, ON

October 26, 1930 - May 26, 2023

Dorothy Olivia Van-Lane Obituary

VAN-LANE, Dorothy Olivia (nee Topoll) – Peacefully at Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket, early on May 26, 2023, in her 93rd year, after a battle with pneumonia. Beloved wife of William Tadgell (d. 1964) and John (Jeremy) Van-Lane (d. 2020). Dearly loved mother to Timothy (Kasturi), Rodney, Bruce (Deirdre), and Christopher. Proud Grandma to Philip. Predeceased by her parents, Alexander and Christena Topoll, and by her brother Donald Topoll (d. 1968). Sadly missed by youngest brother Delvin Topoll. Born in Swan River, Manitoba, Dorothy was a child of the Depression-era Prairies. She first married in 1950, raised three young sons, and was widowed before relocating to Toronto in 1968 with her second husband Jeremy Van-Lane, a clergyman with whom she later had her fourth son. Dorothy enjoyed a lengthy career as a chorister with various church choirs, and with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir from 1985 to 1987. With training from the Royal Conservatory of Music, from 1987 to 2015 she flourished as a piano and singing teacher at her home studio. Behind her quiet demeanour and diminutive stature were keen human insights, a deep love of music and artistry, a tough-as-nails determination, and an abiding faith in God. These qualities helped her battle many health challenges, including a chronic lung condition, a near-fatal ear infection, late-life scoliosis, and breast cancer, which she survived twice. She read voraciously and followed current issues all her life. Dorothy was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and will be dearly missed. Friends may call at Roadhouse and Rose Funeral Home, 157 Main St. S., Newmarket, on Sunday June 4, 2-4 and 7-9 pm. The funeral service will take place at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 227 Church St., Newmarket, on Monday June 5 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Lung Association, the Royal Conservatory of Music, or to a charity of your choice.

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Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Dorothy Olivia Van-Lane.