VANDAHL: Dorothy Irene

DOROTHY IRENE VANDAHL (HAYTER) 

16 February 1926 Dashwood, Ontario – 25 November 2021 Ottawa, Ontario 

 

After a wonderful life, Dorothy passed away peacefully, following a brief illness, on Thursday 25 November 2021 at the Ottawa Civic hospital, at the still young age of 95.

 

Beloved wife of the late Earl Frederick Vandahl for 60 years. Cherished mother to Douglas Vandahl (and Sarah Helgerson) of Kanata, Ontario, Diane Vandahl of Delta, B.C., and Earl Vandahl (and Catherine Généreux) of Ottawa, Ontario.  Dorothy was the loving grandmother to Robert Vandahl (Gen Boisjoly), William Vandahl (Joanna Dinh), Kimberly Vandahl (Blake Stratton) and Michelle Vandahl (Mathieu Quenel Lafontaine). Great grandmother for Mathieu Philippe and Luc Louis Lafontaine. 

 

The fifth child in a family of seven born to Robert Hayter and Bertha (Willert) Hayter of Dashwood Ontario, Dorothy was pre-deceased by her brothers Harry, Jim and Bob, and her sisters Theada Bruce, Reta Snyder and Grace Beavis. She was loved dearly by her nieces, nephews and their families. 

 

Dorothy’s life was quickly full of challenge and adventure (this happens when you marry a navy man) as shortly after her marriage she and Earl left for Scotland (a country still living with post WWII rationing) and a wee bairn named Douglas arrived. A few years later the family returned to Halifax, N.S. and Diane arrived on the scene. Earl’s last navy job took them to Ottawa and this time Earl Jr. was dropped off by the stork. When Earl Sr. retired from the navy, he took a job with Rolls Royce Canada and this took the family to Montreal.  Dorothy was happy as the stork was not informed of the change of address. When Earl Sr. retired for the final time they headed back to southwestern Ontario and Grand Bend where she enjoyed many years with family and friends.  In the spring of 2019 Dorothy moved to Kanata, Ontario. 

 

Dorothy was always active and engaged – she enjoyed cooking, choir, gardening, reading, travel, sewing, piano, line dancing and especially her bridge. She was kind and thoughtful, loved her family and she never forgot a birthday.  She was an active volunteer. Her Lutheran faith kept her strong and she embraced change with good spirit and grace. She will always be remembered.

 

 

Memorial donations (payable directly) to the Zion Lutheran Church, Dashwood or charity of choice would be appreciated. 

 

The Christian funeral for Dorothy will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Dashwood on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.