DOROTHY LOUISE RUTLEDGE

September 26, 1954 - November 30, 2023

It’s with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Dorothy Louise Rutledge, age 69, at her home November 30, 2023. 

 

She was predeceased by her parents, Edgar and Phyllis; as well as aunts and uncles, Fred and Rita Robertson, Kay and Doug Bradley, and Earl and Gwen Brooks. She will be greatly missed by her brother Bob (Gina); cousins, Sandra (Frank), Sophie (Gisele), and Donald, and several nieces and nephews. Also, mourning her loss are very special friends Charlotte and Neill and family Chris, Rob, Lauren (Jon), Godson Evan and his son Jacob.

 

Dorothy grew up in Winnipeg, attending University of Manitoba where she received her Bachelor of Science and Nursing. She went on to obtain a Master's degree in Nursing at Madison University and became a pediatric nurse practitioner. She continued with her studies and later received a Master's degree in Divinity and CAPE certification for counselling.

 

Her nursing duties took her to many northern communities including Churchill, Pelican Narrows, Dawson City, and Rankin Inlet. She was known to be caring and giving to clients especially Indigenous people and the elderly.  It was up north where she got her first rescue dog Asta who she would take on travels on the roads in her pickup while performing her practitioner duties. She went on over the years to adopt other dogs, Brandy, Skip, and recently Finn, who misses her very much.  Dorothy retired from her position with the WHRA in 2021 but assisted with contract tracing for COVID. 

 

Dorothy had many different interests including love of music and was able to play different instruments including the piano, harp, and bagpipes.  She enjoyed crafting, rug hooking, knitting, quilting, crocheting, and making jewelry. She would make doggie mats for the Humane Society.  She was active with her dogs ensuring they were properly trained and was enjoying working with Finn to learn sheep herding, barn hunting activities and flyball. One of Dorothy’s favorite places was at the Johnson’s cabin where she could walk and play with Finn on the beach.  

 

Those that knew her well found Dorothy had a generous heart and took care of family and friends especially at the most challenging times of their lives.  Christmas was a special time for her and one of her traditions was sharing her homemade fruit cake. 

 

May you rest in eternal peace Dorothy, you will always be loved and never forgotten.

 

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Humane Society or Spinal Cord research.

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Dorothy's family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.