Stories

Honoured by her six children

Dorothy Elma Beattie (nee Lewis) born March 18, 1924 to Herbert and Elma Lewis in North Bay, was raised on Second Ave. East along with three sisters, Rene, Jeanne and Bette and a brother Gordon who died from illness at the age of six. Father Herbert Lewis was an engineer with the ONR and died at age 52 when two ONR freight trains collided head on January 1, 1948 just south of Cobalt. Mother Elma, lived well into her 90’s.

Dorothy met her husband Fred C.A. Beattie at an early age. There are fond
memories of the neighbourhood games, skiing from home to Laurentian Ski Club to climb the hills and ski for the day or catching a ride on the train out to the country to ski home by way of the Johnson farm for a hot lunch.

Dorothy enjoyed high school, the gym squad and drama. She wanted to continue on with post-secondary education but WWII was imminent so she remained in North Bay and took a job with the Imperial Bank. Dorothy and Fred married soon after high school and the couple left North Bay only briefly while Fred was stationed in Nova Scotia. When Fred went overseas, Dorothy returned to North Bay to wait for Fred to complete his tour.

Following the war, Dorothy and Fred purchased one of the first six homes on Trout Lake Road. Dorothy’s mother had grave concerns as this area was at the time, very rural and in close proximity to the North Bay Jail. House number 2318 proved to be the perfect nest for three daughters Karen, Barb and Beth in one bedroom and sons Fred, Dave and Tim in the other. There they remained for 27 wonderful years eventually surrounded by neighbours who became lifelong friends as the street transformed from dirt, to paved, to a four-lane thoroughfare.

Dorothy was always available for her children. Getting six kids fed and ready for school each morning could not have been an easy task. After school she was always ready to listen to the day’s adventures while cooking dinner. Somehow she found time to work in her garden as the peonies and gladiolus were always perfect. Gardening was a passion she still nurtures today.

Dorothy also found time for the game of bridge, giggling and laughing with her bridge mates as they bid their hands and told stories of their daily adventures.

Today she still loves a good game of bridge.

Dorothy followed in her parents footsteps and became a very active member in Eastern Star. Herbert and Elma Lewis stood together as Worthy Matron and Patron in the North Bay Fidelis Chapter. Dorothy continued in Eastern Star holding several stations through the years and she also stood as Worthy Matron with husband Fred at her side as Worthy Patron.

Dorothy and Fred left Trout Lake Rd in 1974 after completing the life-long dream of building a home on the lake. Here Dorothy’s love of nature, birds, gardening, cross country skiing flourished until Fred’s declining health made it necessary to move closer to town. Dorothy continues her love of gardening and the outdoors, walking when weather permits and tending her patio garden and window box to perfection.

This leaf is a tribute to Dorothy from her children. With her gentle patience she has passed on her love of nature and her strength of spirit to each and every one of us.