Obituary of Dory Hilkes

HILKES  (Jansen), Theodora (Dory) Maria
June 5, 1931 - 20 December 2023

With great sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of Dory. After a lovely day, feeling fine, doing all her favourite things, Dory said goodnight, and sometime in the night, she slipped away in her sleep at 92.  

Dory was a force of nature, in charge of everything.  Throughout her life, Dory lovingly laboured for others, keeping a spotless and welcoming home for her family and anyone else who might call. She volunteered with St. Basil’s church, the Girl Guides and the local community association. Dory also loved to visit seniors and lend her voice to the church choir. For many years Bert and Dory led marriage preparation courses for the church, guiding young couples as they took this sacred step together. Dory also babysat — over the years the family home in Ottawa’s west end was a second home to many dozens of children, all well fed and taken care of.

Despite challenging memory loss, Dory remained cheerful, optimistic and courageous as ever.  She urged us all to “forget all the bad stuff and remember all the good stuff."

Dory is reunited with her devoted husband and lifelong best friend Bert, whom she married in 1953, and who departed from us in 2012.

Beloved Mom to Els (Dave), Josy (Gord), Bert, Doris (Peter), Rob (Irene), and Chris.

Oma to Brendyn (Sachiko), Thea (Paz), Karen (Adam), Jenny (David), Cameron (Krisy), Shelagh (Kevan), Ryder (Jennifer), Michael, Taylor (Elise), Chloe (Chris), Kyle, Seth (Julia), and Gabriella (Daniel).

Overoma (although she preferred the less formal “Oma Dory”), to Zachary, Ren, Leela, Jackson, Mason, Rose, Francesca, Emily, Taylor-Gordon, John and Alice, Sydney, Espen, and Avery

The family would like to thank the Carlingwood Retirement Community for providing such a lovely place for Dory to call home the past few years.

Dory would not have you spend money on flowers. She would instead instruct you to quietly donate to a good cause without fanfare (and you would do it too, because Dory told you to).

A Celebration of Life for Dory will be held January 6th, 12:00 noon at St. Basil’s Church, and live-streamed. 940 Rex Ave, Ottawa, with a reception to follow at the church.