Passed away peacefully on Sunday April 25, 2021 at Centennial Manor in Little Current, Manitoulin Is. Beloved wife of the late Gerald Brunette. Dorothy was born on December 5, 1931 to the late Edith Newburn and William James Graham. She will be dearly missed by her children Elizabeth (Dale) McGrath, Cathy (Brad, now deceased) Jenkins, Terry and Brenda (Lance) Hill, her grandchildren, Tristan (Maggie) McGrath, Trevor, Lauren (David) Garrow, Angela (Bill) Real, Christa Jenkins (Mark), Jordan Jenkins (Steve), Tim (Becky) Hill, Marlee Hill (Ryan) and great grand-children, Alex, Brady, Bobby, Bryson, Animkii and Rory. Many nieces, nephews and cousins will miss Dorothy’s widespread love of family. We all visited Dorothy and Gerry at their home in Sudbury, summer home in Kagawong and going as far as Arizona to visit over 20 winters spent in the south. Dorothy spent a full and happy life growing up in the stone house on Upper Street in the village of Kagawong where she was born with her elder siblings Lyle (Minnie) Graham, Norine (Jim) Fisher, Allan (Lois) Graham all now deceased. We remember her stories of family gatherings, euchre parties, fishing, berry picking, driving the family car to school in Gore Bay at age 14, meeting a young Ontario Hydro OIT (Operator in Training) at the office she worked at up the hill. She married Gerald Henry Thomas Brunette on June 28, 1950. They lived happily in hydro operating station locations in Thessalon, Stinson, Barrett Chute, Crystal Falls and finally settling in Sudbury to raise their family. Dorothy’s passing marks the close of a generation. Dot was known for her love of family, feisty determination, boundless energy and sense of humour and joke telling she may have inherited from her like spirited Aunt Eileen Graham Lloyd! She was our Mom - a strong and sentimental woman who had a talent for making wonderful meals she loved to share with many. Some may have known she possessed creative talents like knitting, sewing, crocheting and being able to play music by ear that she learned from her Mom Edith. Dorothy’s family will mark her passing in their own personal way at this time and hope to celebrate Dot’s life this summer on Manitoulin with family. Please keep her in your thoughts and share a memory you may have of Dorothy. Donations made directly to St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 182 Main St., Kagawong, ON P0P 1J0 or Old Mill Heritage Centre http://www.kagawongmuseum.ca/?section=support-us#paypalDonation in lieu of flowers would be appreciated. Thank you for remembering Dorothy.
The Garrows send our deepest condolences to all of Dorothy’s family. During this difficult time it’s impossible to not take in the depth and incredible impact of human life. Thank you “grandma” Dorothy for just being you and all that you did in your remarkable life. You gave so much life (literally) and joy to so many. I love you for giving life to your eldest Elizabeth. I love you even more for Elizabeth giving life to your granddaughter “Dorothy” Lauren, who has been my high school sweetheart and love of my life. Thank you for being a great-grandparent to our wonderful son Animkiii. You lived a tremendous life and you will always live through us as you will never be forgotten.
Miigwetch,
David, Lauren, Animkii and the Garrows.
May 2, 2021
To Liz and family, and all of Dorothy’s loved ones–we are so sorry for your loss. Dorothy was a lovely woman and we never saw her without a smile on her face. We have special memories of her, especially on Manitoulin Island. She was happiest when she was surrounded by all of you, and we always appreciated being included in your family gatherings. Dorothy will be greatly missed. We are thinking of you during this difficult time.
May 2, 2021
My deepest condolences to the Brunette family although it’s been many years since I’ve seen Terry and Brenda I will always have fond memories of visiting the house and your Mother and Dad were very welcoming and had the pleasure of visiting Kagawong and going for a boat ride with Gerry and Terry and a storm brewed up while on big water and we took refuge on a nearby island and waited out the rough waters and returned safely to the dock and glad of it! And your Mother was back at the house with a meal waiting for our return and I’m reminiscing of good times had and I thank them for their hospitality and wish you memories like this to carry you through a tough loss. Much Love Don and Christine Hawkes and family
April 29, 2021
Dear Grandma: When I think of you I will always remember – your love of ice cream, how you’d always have some after every meal and going out for ice cream with you; how you made turnips taste good; always offering to feed us no matter what time we showed up; playing solitaire at the table at camp; getting a gift in a Sears box every Christmas that was usually clothes or socks; getting an ‘Arizona’ themed t-shirt whenever you came back at the end of winter; always having a werthers original candy in your purse for me; the light and fluffy pancakes you would make for us; spending so many summers with you at camp and always making me laugh.
Love always, Tristan
April 29, 2021
Our sincere condolences to Dorothy’s family in the loss of a very special lady. She was always full of laughter and stories We enjoyed spending time with Dorothy and Gerry while vacationing in Las Vegas and at many celebrations with Julie and Roy.
Dorothy was also a classmate of my mother Carmen Walker ( Buchanan).
We will always have many fond memories of Dorothy
April 27, 2021
I spent many happy summers up in the Island and visits with Aunt Dorothy & Uncle Gerry always were highlights. All those occasions left me with wonderful memories to be treasured. My love and blessings to the family…
April 27, 2021
We loved to argue….(none of which I won)..I loved her as a second Mom and she will be missed dearly…Dorothy and her whole family and relatives, helped this transplanted Westerner make Sudbury my home…no regrets.
April 27, 2021
Such a wonderful lady. She loved her family so very much and that was so beautiful. I always admired her spoken truth and honesty in her humorous way. Some great childhood memories with this amazing family. Sending you all our love and prayers. So very sorry for your loss.
Love the Moreira Family
April 26, 2021
Our Condolences to Dorothy’s wonderful family.
She was a dear friend and always so much fun to be with. We live in B.C but were friends with Dorothy and Gerry in Arizona, and we did visit them at their summer home on Manitoulin Island. Our love and blessings to the family..
April 26, 2021