Obituary of Dorothy Boehk-Clark

Dorothy Elizabeth (Hunter), 96, formerly from Westville, passed away at Glen Haven Manor on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.  Born in Westville, she was the daughter of the late Gesner Pineo Hunter and Elizabeth Redpath MacKenzie Hunter.  Dorothy attended schools in Westville, Stellarton, Pictou and Trenton, however, her love of learning continued her whole life. 

Dorothy is survived by:  daughter Pamela and son-in-law John (Jack) Canning, Murray’s sons, Bill (Carol) Lyons Brook, John (Edith), River John, Ian (Sue), Greenwood, Murray Jr. (Dawn) Dartmouth, Laurie, Moncton, Bruce, Toronto; grandchildren, Rob Canning, Elk Point, Jason Canning (Tania Bickerstaffe), Calgary and Vanessa Canning, Stellarton, great grand children: Kourtney Jones, Kyle Thompson, Bradley Canning, Conner Jones, Emily Canning, Natalie Canning, Zander Canning and Kaitryn Jones and great-great grand son Ezekiel Fawcett.   Sisters: Irene Clark, Calgary, Kathleen Gilchrist, Edmonton, Janice Ricketts (Tom) Scarborough, Judy Graham (Lester), Fredericton and Brother-in-law, Bob Hodgson Mississauga, Sisters-in-law Marilyn Hunter, Toronto and Mildred Boehk, Westville. Many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews whom she thoroughly enjoyed.  Dorothy loved to organize family get-togethers.

She was predeceased by:  husbands, Theodore Neil Boehk and George Murray Clark, Sisters, Barbara Anne Hodgson, Claire Millicent MacDonald, Eleanor (infant) and Muriel (infant), brothers Roland Seymour, Kenneth MacKenzie, Henry “Sonny”, Robert Arlen, Clarence Austin, Brothers-in-law, John Clark, Thomas Gilchrist Brenton MacDonald, Ronald Boehk, Garfield Morash and Sisters-in-law, Charlotte ‘Honey’ Morash and Vera Darroch

After graduation, she worked at Thompson and Sutherland’s in Westville, then she worked for the Royal Bank of Canada in Westville, until she was pregnant with their daughter and because of bank policy had to leave. Later she worked part time at the Westville Medical Center which led to full time and then to Clinic Manager as the number of doctors grew from 2 to 5.  She was involved with setting up a system for record keeping when the MSI system started.  She travelled to Halifax for training along with Dr H. B. Whitman.

Sharing her talents, time and organizational skills with others started at an early age - in grade 2 in Pictou she became the Secretary for her class’s Junior Red Cross - that feeling of responsibility and commitment continued her whole life.

She was very active in St Phillips Church until it burned and was involved in the fund raising and later in St Paul United church where she taught Sunday School, Mission Band, Explorers, CGIT, a charter member of UCW in the Rainbow Unit (prior to that with the Ladies Guild). Her sewing skills taught by her grandmother and mother were also often offered: making damask table cloths for the church catering, junior choir gowns, and articles for fund raising events like Christmas suppers.  She was also involved with the Pictou County Council of Churches.  For many years she was an associate member of the Aberdeen Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and the secretary-treasurer of St. Phillips Cemetery

Dorothy’s love of Westville was unmistakeable – she was a proud and strong citizen her whole adult life.  She was a strong supporter of July 1 celebrations for many years which continued after she became a Town Councillor and was also a Member of the Fire Committee.  She had great admiration for the Firemen and supported them any way she could.  Whether it was cooking eggs for a breakfast, selling tickets, going to bat at council for something they needed or just attending all of their meetings.  When she was honoured by the Fire Department as an Honorary Fireman upon her retirement, it touched her deeply and she continued to be their advocate.

The Homecoming Society of which she was a patroness was important to her keep people connected. She was also a charter member of the Westville and Area Gardening Club, the provincial executive and a horticultural judge.  She was an officer in the Westville Crime Watch Association. She was treasurer of the Medical Group Management Association.  She held several offices in the Square Dance Club, the Good Tern Camping.  She was very involved in the Heritage group in Westville and in the Local Seniors Festival and the Provincial Senior’s Festivals.

When she and Ted started spending winters in Tampa, she joined a line-dancing group and when she was back in Nova Scotia organized a group who not only danced for fun but shared their joy by entertaining many groups.  This included organizing matching outfits and making jewellery to match. 

Throughout her whole life she always seemed to find time for sewing and many crafts as well as painting.  Her sewing included lots of clothes for Pamela, herself and others including a wedding dress for her sister, many bridemaids’ dresses, prom and princess gowns and even a tailored suit for Ted.

She was honored during the Provincial Volunteer Week in 1997 for her “Exceptional Volunteer Service” with a presentation by the premier.

When Ted was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease; she, Ted and his sister Charlotte (Honey) became involved with the organization of the Pictou County Parkinson’s Group, she was very involved in all aspect of this group and continued as long as she was able.  Even participating in the walk in her wheelchair.

When she married Murray, they both became very involved with the Pictou County War Museum even assisting in finding a new home when the current one was no longer available.  Their passion for this consumed much of their time.

Dorothy made Glen Haven her home when her health necessitated it.  She made many friends with caregivers and residents and to the end the staff provided her a loving and caring environment.

Visitation was held on Sunday, September 15th at Eagles Funeral home from 2-4 pm and 7 – 9 pm.  Funeral celebration was held at St Paul United Church, 1944 Church Street, Westville, on Monday, September 16th at 11:00 am. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to St. Paul United Church, Westville, the Parkinson’s Foundation or a charity of your choice.