Obituary of Dorothy June Reid

(nee Gillespie) 

January 21, 1929 – October 25, 2023 

In her 95th year, Dorothy June Reid (nee Gillespie) passed peacefully on October 25, 2023. She  was born in Hamilton on January 21, 1929 to Earl and Evelyn Gillespie, was predeceased by  her brothers Earl and Robert, and is survived by her sister Marjorie and brother John. 

Dorothy was the loving wife and constant companion of the late James E. (Jim) Reid (1924- 2007). They met at an open air dance in 1948, were married a year later, and embarked on their  life together.  

Dorothy was the proud and beloved Mother of her four sons: Jim, Don, Bruce and Ed and the admired Mother-in-Law of their spouses Stephanie, Bonnie, Carole and Kathleen. Adored by  her seven grandchildren Michael Reid (Anthony), Matthew Reid, Carey Reid, Trevor Reid  (Anisa), Julie Stevens (Ken), Allison MacFadden (Derek) and Kimberly Brazier (Andrew), she had fifteen great-grandchildren. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by all. 

Dorothy was well liked by all who got to know her. She was a life-long resident of greater  Hamilton – with homes on “the Mountain”, in Stoney Creek for many years, and most recently in  Dundas at St. Joseph’s Villa where she received care and support for which the family is very  grateful. 

Dorothy valued her privacy, yet she was gifted in her ability to engage in easy conversation with  people of all sorts, friends and strangers alike, in any setting. It was a skill she developed at an  early age to overcome her self-confessed shyness in youth. 

Trained in book-keeping and stenography, Dorothy entered the work force as a young woman,  but any thoughts of a future career in business administration were set aside when she married  and devoted herself to supporting her young growing family with undivided care, attention, love and wisdom. As the family matured, she effectively applied her early business school training in various clerical and accounting roles at Reid’s Pharmacy and as a part-time comptometer operator for local accounting businesses. In their retirement years, Dorothy and Jim enjoyed  relaxing with friends at their lakeside summer retreat in the Kawarthas. After Jim’s death in 2007  Dorothy made the move from the family home on Lake Avenue Drive to her own apartment  where she lived independently and happily engaged in reading, knitting and playing bid-euchre  with good friends and neighbours. 

Over the years, and from a young age, Dorothy was an active participant in many organizations  including the Dale Community Centre, Stoney Creek United Church UCW, the Ladies Auxiliary”  to the Hamilton Pharmacists Association, the Stoney Creek Historical Society and most notably  the Hamilton Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society (Chairperson, Newsletter Editor). She  was an ardent genealogist, dedicated to recording and preserving her own family’s history.  

A private interment is planned. A Celebration of Dorothy’s Life will be held on Sunday, November 19, 2023 from 12 noon until 4 p.m. at Sally Creek Adult Community Centre, 330 Lakeview Drive, Woodstock Ont. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association or the St. Joseph's Villa Foundation would be greatly appreciated .