Dorothy Mary McPherson

On Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 Dorothy Mary McPherson passed away at Tatagwa View Long Term Care Facility in Weyburn, Sask. at the age of 93 years.  Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, William and Hulda Hamlin; her husband, James Garfield McPherson in 1954; her granddaughter, Michelle Rae McPherson in 1984; brother-in-law John Duncan Campbell in 2001; and a sister, Barbara Blanche (Hamlin) Campbell in 2008.  She will be lovingly remembered by her family, six children: Thomas William McPherson of Bashaw, AB; Donald Lester and Elaine McPherson of High River, AB; James Alec and Carolynn McPherson of Yellow Grass, SK; Gordon Bruce and Lynette McPherson of Regina, SK; Betty Dianne McPherson and Donald Beggs of Carlyle, SK and Douglas Robert and Laureen McPherson of Weyburn, SK; eighteen grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren; three brothers: Lester (Lou) Hamlin of Langley, BC Tom (Barb) Hamlin of Olds, AB and Bob (Ellen) Hamlin of Winnipeg, MB; as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Dorothy Mary (Hamlin) McPherson was born October 24th, 1916 at the old homestead in the municipality of Benson, SK.  She took her primary education at Ossa and Benson Schools, where she was active in sports and school plays.  Her father sold his farm and purchased a farm implement dealership in the town of Benson when she was ten years of age.  Her family and friends frequently visited Kenosee Lake, and she and her mother had visited her mother's family a couple of times but in 1927 her father purchased a new Chevrolet and the whole family motored to Wisconsin for a visit with the Hinz relatives.  She took her senior matriculation and secretarial training at Scott Collegiate in Regina, SK.  "Toots", as she was known to family and friends was first employed by the R.M. of Benson as an assistant to Mr. Alex Raines, the Municipal Secretary in about 1934.  This was an occupation she would return to in her later years.  Dorothy married James Garlield McPherson on July 8th, 1938 in Benson, SK.  Jim was her childhood hero from the time he first tied her skates at the local skating pond.  She and Jim moved to Winnipeg for the War years, where Jim worked as an aircraft mechanic at the Air Observer School.  After the war they returned to Saskatchewan and started the service station and garage business known as Mac's Esso Service of Weyburn in 1945.  When Jim died in 1954, Toots continued to operate the business until her family were grown.  She sold the business in 1972 and moved to Dinsmore, SK as Village Secretary.

She was an active member of society in Dinsmore until 1983 when she retired and returned to Weyburn where she was closer to her grandchildren.  It seemed only natural, if there was a bookkeeping or secretarial function that needed attention in the community that Dorothy would do it, whether it be in Benson, Weyburn, Dinsmore, or at Carlyel Lake where she maintained a cabin for more than 50 years.  Dorothy was a United Church member.  She was an active volunteer for many organizations such as the Cancer Society,  the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Weyburn Library and the Weyburn Legion Ladies Auxiliary.  She was also a member of the Signal Hill Arts Group, the Senior Ladies Curling and the Lazy Daisy Unit of the Grace United Church in Weyburn.  Toots was an active curler, painter, knitter and seamstress.  She loved to read books and grow roses at her cabin at the lake.  Dorothy's love for children resulted in the foster care of many children over the years both in  Weyburn and Dinsmore.  Sometimes they were babies, sometimes they were teenagers, sometimes they were alone, sometimes they were families.  A mother's love was always needed and greatly appreciated.  She will be lovingly remembered by all she knew and loved.

Funeral Services were held Friday May 7th, 2010 at 2:00pm from Grace United Church, Weyburn, SK with Rev. Cordelia Karpenko officiating.  The Pallbearers were: Jim McPherson, Garrett McCallum, Darren McPherson, Scott McPherson, David Clark and Dallas McPherson.  Cremation with Interment followed on Monday, May 10th, 2010 in Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn, SK.  For friends so wishing, donations in memory of Dorothy,, may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.  Condolences may be given at: www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com   Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd. Weyburn, Saskatchewan.  (306-842-5432)