DORVAL: In Loving Memory of Shirley Ellen Dorval who was born August 18, 1940 at Dodsland, SK and passed away September 8, 2013 at North Battleford, SK. Shirley is survived by her loving children and grandchildren: Richard (Jennifer): Kolten, Kory & Caylee; Gilles (Pam Cousins): Katlan, Jenaya, Shayla, Logan & Eric; Roger ; Danette (Allan) Rowley; Aydra & Elyse; brothers and sister: Bill (Myrna) Douglas, Jim (Joan) Douglas, Gaylene (Barry) Douglas Hyde and Randy (Shelly) Douglas; nieces and nephews. Shirley was predeceased by her son, Darrell; parents: Richard & Margaret Douglas; husband, Charles Joseph Dorval; sister, June Byrt. Vigil of Prayer was held Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at 7:30 p.m and Mass of Christian Burial was held Thursday, September 12, 2013 with Father Phinh Do, Celebrant; both Services from Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, Glaslyn, SK. The Cross Bearer was Kolten Dorval. Liturgy of The Word was shared by Raymonde Josuttes and Andrea Borsa; Prayer Of The Faithful, Katlan, Jenaya and Shayla Dorval and Liturgy of The Eucharist ~ Kory Dorval, Aydra Rowley, Caylee Dorval & Elyse Rowley. Music Ministry was Mrs. Helen Pylypow - Organist and Holy Cross Parish Choir. The Honourary Pallbearers were "Family and Friends" and Pallbearers were René Dorval, Vern Douglas, Victor Dorval, Conrad Read, Phillip Byrt and Paul Tanguay. Memorials are requested to Multiple Sclerosis Society and to the Donors Choice. Interment followed at Fairholme Cemetery, Fairholme, SK. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service. (306)446-4200 Eulogy Shirley Ellen Dorval was born on August 18, 1940 to Dyck and Margaret Douglas in Dodsland, SK. She was the second oldest of a family of 6 (3 brothers and 3 sisters). According to many stories and discussions as a child she was a "goody too shoes" and Grandpa Dyck's favorite. Even in her early years, Mom showed a very strong character and will of her own. Uncle Bill shared a memory, when Mom was about 4 she disappeared one afternoon, everyone looked and looked and low and behold they found her sitting in the strawberry patch, face and hands sticky, covered with red juice; full of hives and sick to her stomach from eating too many berries. Mom didn't eat strawberries for many years after that. Mom went to school in Dodsland. She loved school and was an avid reader. She also loved sports, especially figure-skating and ball. She passed on her love of figure skating to Danette, Richard, Gilles and I all passed on the figure-skating, but we did play ball. After graduating from high school in 1958, Mom continued her education, in teacher's college. Upon completing her diploma, she took her first job in Happy Hollow, which Uncle Bill referred to as Skunk Hole. She continued to work with the Outlook school district at Lawson School for one more year, than wanted to spread her wings. In 1961, she travelled up north to teach the elementary grades in Fairholme, SK. She preferred to teach the younger children. Mom was a great teacher. I remember meeting a man, who told me Mom was his favorite teacher, she had taught him how to read. She was a real Ann Sullivan (Helen Kellen's teacher) for I thought this man could barely walk and chew gum at the same time. With Mom's love for teaching she often helped her siblings. Uncle Randy commented that Mom always took the time to help him learn his multiplication and division tables in his younger years. As an adult, she continued to teach him as he watched her be positive and strong in her faith, and will remember his sister as a teacher and an example to strive to be. Two of Mom's favorite students were Danette and I. She taught me Kindergarten, and I can still recite the poem " I am a little teapot short and stout, here is my handle and here is my spout". Being 5 yrs old, not wanting any of my classmates to think I was a "Teacher's Pet", I refused to call her Mom at school. One student became jealous because Mrs. Dorval always took Roger to church, back off Lucien this is my mom not yours. Mom taught Danette Grade 1, which I am certain was much more challenging then teaching me. One day, I'm not sure why, but Mom and Danette were in the hallway and Danette was crying. Mom told her to go to the washroom to clean up and come to class when ready. After some time, there was still no Danette so Mom proceeded to the washroom to get her. When entering the washroom she found Danette scrubbing the sinks, Danette turned to here and said, "Hope it is clean enough for you!" It was in Fairholme, where Mom met a handsome hardworking farmer, Charlie Dorval, who swept her off her feet, despite being slightly older than Mom. We often laughed as kids that Dad would have been in Grade 12 and Mom would not have even been in Kindergarten. Mom was in love, and despite the fact Grampa Dyck did not approve of the French Catholic man, the two were married on July 3rd,1963 in North Battleford, SK. After getting married, Mom moved to the farm with Dad and Grandpa Valere, who primarily spoke French. Mom loved to make Dad happy and usually cooked whatever he asked for, typically meat and potatoes with every meal, and fish on Good Friday. With Grandpa Valere's help, she learned how to make bread. I remember mom saying more bread ended up in the outhouse than on the table, but Grandpa did not say a word, it was their little secret. Between farming and teaching, the couple was very busy and happy. In May of 1964, their first son Richard was born, Gilles followed October 65, Darrell in March of 67, me in July of 68, and finally their little girl in August 70. A be-lated birthday present for Mom, they finally got their girl. Shirley was a good teacher but she was a better Mom. Like any good parent she always wanted the best for her children, especially a good education. She would spend countless hours helping with homework, it was easier when Richard was actually in the house and not out farming or Gilles was not out doing whatever he was doing. Mom made sure we always had nice cool clothes a new pair of nikes. Times were good, motorbikes, snowmobiles, and horses to ride. We could join any sport we wanted, and she was always there to tells what a wonderful job we did. She sure made that little teacher cheque go a long way. Mom always welcomed her nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends out to the farm. It was always fun, never a dull moment. Over the past years and more so recently, many people have commented about Mom's commitment to God and her strong faith. She was not raised a catholic. We recently heard the story of when she was confirmed with Leonard Pylypow in Edam. After the celebration, the 2 couples were on their way home, the 2 gents convinced the young ladies to stop for a drink in the Mervin bar. Needless to say there were 2 newly confirmed catholics scanning the room nervously. Leonard and Helen came to visit mom in the hospital before she passed and as Leonard told the story it was nice to see Mom smile and nod as her face lit up. Mom's faith and love for God came from Dad. There were two particular events that tested the couples faith. The Lord does work in mysterious ways. The first came in May of 1968 with tragic death of their one year old son Darrell. Mom was 7 months pregnant with me. According to Mom it was Dad's faith and his belief that they must be thankful that Darrell was born healthy and they were blessed to have spent a year holding and loving him, which helped them live with this tragedy. Their faith was tested again in 1972 when Mom was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She lived longer with that cruel disease than without. With the love and support of her husband and her deep faith she continued to focus on the positive. Mom always showed courage through out life. She always told us to believe in ourselves and encouraged us to do our best in whatever we were doing. When things did not go our way, she was always there to help us through and often recited the serenity prayer, "grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.", which is how she lived her life. Mom was determined to be independent. As her abilities changed with the progression of her disease, Mom persevered and embraced new ways to do everyday tasks. When writing became difficult, she learned how to use an on-screen keyboard with a mouse, as the standard mouse became difficult to use with her hands, she learned how to use her head to control the cursor; and most recently when it became more difficult to talk she learned how to use a communication device to voice her needs to her care staff and to play some of her favorite card games. She was a very determined lady right to the end, this quality shined through to all her grandchildren. Mom loved and took great pride in all her grandchildren. She would greet them with a smile and hug every time. She would always love to talk to them and hear about what they were doing. When they were little, she loved taking them for rides on the back of her wheelchair. Every picture a grandchild drew or colored was proudly displayed on her wall or door; along with a collage of pictures on her closet doors. When my girls were little, Mom would email me before every holiday asking me to send the girl's crafts to decorate her door. During every visit, Mom made sure that her camera was out and someone was taking pictures of the grandchildren. She was usually the "producer", directing everyone where to stand for the picture - even a few days before she passed she was telling Katlan, Roger and Gilles where to stand so she could see them all at the same time. I don't think I will be able to take a picture without thinking of Mom for quite some time. Mom lived in River Heights Lodge for over ten years and we would like to thank the staff for making it her home. Each of us has happy memories of Mom and these we will hold dear in our hearts. Mom would want to wish everyone a fond farewell, and would want everyone to know she is happy to be with her son Darrell and her true love Charles. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
