Obituary of Dorothy Jean Costen

COSTEN, Dorothy Jean (nee Durst) After a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, and surrounded by her family in her final days, Dorothy passed away at McNally House in Grimsby on January 30, 2012. Beloved wife of Ronald for over 55 years. Cherished mother of David (Mary Lou), Robert (Lisa) and daughter Marie (Tom). Lovingly remembered by her seven grand-children, Laura, Jeff, Sean and Wesley Costen, and Scott, Anna, and Leah McMenemy. She is pre-deceased by her parents, Nelson and Marie Durst. She is survived by her beloved sister Margaret Blackwell of London. She will be missed by her dear friend Elsie Wilson and many others. Dorothy was born and attended elementary and secondary school in St. Thomas, Ontario. She attended the University of Western Ontario, London Teachers College and obtained her BA from Brock University in 1987. She taught at elementary schools in Guelph and Chatham. After marriage she lived in Chatham, Farnham, PQ, and finally in Grimsby for the last 51 years. She attended St. Phillip by the Lake in Grimsby where she taught Sunday School and was a member of the Altar Guild. Dorothy's life reflected a love of children. She was a Cub and Brownie leader, secretary and case worker for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and a volunteer for the Children’s Aid Society for over 20 years. For many years, she volunteered at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital. Dorothy was an artist, prolific knitter, designer of church banners, and a bird lover. She loved to see the world, and with her husband, travelled throughout Europe in search of her family roots. In recent years, she loved her winter holidays in Arizona. She especially loved her time spent at the family cottage on Boshkung Lake in Haliburton County. The family would like to thank Doctors Shoemaker and Marshall, nurses Mary Catherine and Diane, and all the wonderful nurses and staff at McNally House Hospice in Grimsby. Visitation will be at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church Parish Hall on Friday, February 3, between 7 and 9 p.m., 7 Andrews Avenue West, Grimsby. There will also be a visitation at the hall at 10 a.m. prior to the Funeral Service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2012. (Arrangements entrusted to the Donald V. Brown Funeral Home , 905-662-2948) In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, donations to the McNally House Hospice would be appreciated. www.donaldvbrown.ca