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Obit Stirling/Selman

Published in The Times Colonist on July 28, 2017 - Photos with Obit



Dorothy Mary Stirling (February 07, 1925 - July 15, 2017)



Dorothy passed away quietly and stoically at home. Born in Sheffield,
England to parents Horace and Susannah Selman, Dorothy became an excellent
student, but studies ended when her school was turned over to war efforts.
After working briefly for Sheffield's Spear & Jackson Company where tank
plates were being manufactured, she joined the Women's Royal Navy, and due
to knowledge of German was recruited to code breaking for the Enigma
Machine. In 1943 she met and married Robert Stirling, a Bren gunner with
the Canadian Scottish Regiment, in England preparing for D-Day operations.
In 1945 Dorothy sailed to Canada and life in Victoria, where son Malcolm
was born in September that year, and daughter Lorna in 1947. Dorothy was an
accomplished pianist with a warm contralto voice. A conscientious homemaker
and mother, Dorothy enjoyed sewing and always dressed impeccably. She had a
very British sense of privacy and propriety, but maintained some close and
valued friendships throughout her life. She enjoyed singing in Hoffman's
choir, Mme Fahey's Operatic Society and St Andrew's Glee Club in Victoria
while they existed. Over their marriage of 72 years, she and Robert enjoyed
travel and cruising for as long as his health allowed, and Dorothy was an
avid walker up to her 90th year. Predeceased by her husband, son, and older
brother Johnny, she is survived by daughter Lorna (Edward), daughter-in-law
Deborah, grandsons Geoffrey and Darren (Kim) Spears, great-grandchildren
Hayden and Marina, and extended family. Thanks to Dr George Sayad and those
at Island Health, BC Cancer Agency, Hospice, Beacon and WeCare Services who
helped her in her last weeks. No service, by request. Donations to Victoria
Hospice (where Dorothy volunteered in 1980s) welcomed.

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