Dorothy Helen Wiggs

We are heart broken by the passing on of Dorothy Helen Wiggs (Souther) on February 8, 2021. She was surrounded by love with her family by her side.

 

Born in Edmonton on March 30th, 1934 to Wilfred and Edna Souther. Dorothy grew up on Vancouver Island where she met and married her husband of 50 years, Alfred James (Jim) Wiggs. After marriage they moved to Vancouver, where they both attended UBC. Dorothy completed her studies in the Faculty of Arts and Science and graduated with distinction earning a Bachelor of Home Economics in 1956. Shortly there after she began working as a dietitian at the Vancouver General and St. Paul’s Hospital, supporting herself and Jim as he finished his BSc and MSc. They lived for a few years in Edmonton, while Jim completed his PH.d before heading East to UNB Fredericton, New Brunswick in 1967. They had their first taste of winter that year and wondered what they had got themselves into, but they settled into the community of Fredericton and made many lasting local friendships. Dorothy and Jim shared a life long love of music. Dorothy loved Jazz in particular and was a huge fan of percussion instruments and she had a great sense of rhythm. She was a very open minded person, extremely capable, very independent and completely fearless. Dorothy was most proud of her 30 plus years of volunteer work with the New Brunswick Provincial Archives, where she worked both alone and with archives staff, to make thousands of marriage, birth and death records available to researchers.

 

Before and after retirement Dorothy and Jim had many grand adventures. They greatly enjoyed touring New Zealand and Australia. Jim had a great sense of humour and wrote an email to his daughter from New Zealand that read "Your mother has fallen into a Volcano.", after she had a little misstep on a trail going around the volcano.

 

Dorothy lived the last few years of her life with Alzheimer’s, and she did so with such great courage. She was loved by all who knew her. She was good natured, very strong and kept herself going with a positive approach with her advancing Alzheimers, during the first few months of the pandemic lockdown. She will be remembered for her warm heart and gentle nature, her exuberant spirit, her high intelligence and her diligence in all aspects of her life. Her beautiful spirit will be with us always.

 

Dorothy was predeceased by her husband Jim, her brother in law Jack and her parents Wilfred and Edna Souther. She is survived by her daughter Catherine, her son David (Keetah) and her daughter Jacqueline (Roger); four grandchildren Jaimie, Douglas, Kirbie and Davis. She is also survived by her niece Christine of BC; brother Alan Souther (Marg) of Vancouver Island and their children Rob and Laura of BC along with many cousins and very dear friends, from coast to coast.

 

The family expresses gratitude and appreciation to the loving and dedicated staff at Shannex Brunswick Hall for all the love she received while in their care. It was heart warming to hear how much the staff loved Dorothy’s openness, warm personality and her tell like is it quick wit. We are so thankful to the close knit community of Fredericton, for their kindness, love and support during this very difficult last few years. And to the staff at Hospice who gave her peace in her final moments. We are also so thankful for treasured friends who were so encouraging and supportive.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Alzheimer’s Society (please specify research when donating on their website) or to Hospice Fredericton.

Due to the pandemic there will be no service at this time.