Dorothy Shute

SHUTE, Dorothy Evelyn (nee DUNWOODIE) After 90 cheerful and busy years, Dorothy died peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, August 10, 2006, in Leduc, Alberta. Dorothy was much loved and will be missed by her three sons: Ralph (Lois), Allan (Katherine), and Harry (Michelle Jones); five grand-children: Daniel (Janice), Laurel (Jody) Kirchner, Ronald (Ginetta), Cameron and Tamsin; nine great-grandchildren Bethea, Darby, Braeden, Samuel, Liam, David, Deryk, Keaton and Benjamin; sister Gladys Veitch and brother William (Cec) Dunwoodie; sisters-in-law Rheta Lawrence and Alice Dunwoodie; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and grand-doggers. She was predeceased by her younger brother Robert and, in 1967, by Ronnie, her husband of 27 years. Dorothy Evelyn was born October 9, 1915, in Elk River, Idaho, to Henry and Blanche Dunwoodie, and grew up beside the railroad tracks of Northern Alberta as a hard-working, straight-talking, self-sufficient older sister. At the age of five it was evident she was destined to become an artist when she daubed her little playmate's blonde hair with some red paint she had found in a barn. In 1940, Dort married fellow Provincial Income Tax office worker Ronald Alberta Shute, and they raised their three boys in Strathearn where she rode herd over most of the dogs, cats and kids in the neighbourhood. Despite the rowdy three-ring circus, she became quite a painter and joined the Edmonton Art Club. Over the years, she served as its president, art show co-ordinator, newsletter editor, rental manager and archivist. In May of this year, she held a retrospective art show of her work at the Elsie Johns Art Gallery in the Leduc Civic Centre. While Dorothy's life had setbacks, she overcame each one with her upbeat attitude and sense of humour, two qualities that helped to make her friends while changing tires on the road of life. Her positive outlook helped her beat breast cancer in the 1960s and stomach cancer in the '90s. Her cheery personality and endless repertoire of lively songs and poems allowed her to perk up people's spirits when all looked bleak. As a dear friend at the lake recently observed, Dorothy loved all nature, especially Squirrelly, canoeing, cooking on her bonfire, singing, Scrabble, swimming at the end of the pier, picking mushrooms, growing a garden, drawing, sleeping outside (probably helped her live for another 10 years), dogs, great-grand kids, family, berry-picking and, on camp long weekends, making and handing out awards and marching in their Silly Canada Day parades. She loved life. At Dorothy's request, donations may be made to any charity or medical research of one's choice. Chautauqua Services in celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, August 22nd at 10 a.m. at Foster & McGarvey. Foster & McGarvey Funeral Homes 428-6666. Please note new address: 10011 114th Street .