Dorothy Owens (nee Cowie)

Dorothy Frances Owens (nee Cowie), in her 86th year, passed away peacefully and with dignity, surrounded by her very much loved children, on December 5, 2024. Born in Toronto February 5, 1939, Dorothy lived a full and vibrant life and touched the lives of many people along the way.  

Dorothy met and married her best friend and the love of her life, Ron, when she was very young. They married in 1957 and settled in Scarborough where they raised their four children, while Dorothy worked and went to York University part-time as a mature student.  She graduated from York, Glendon College, with a degree in Sociology at the age of 49.   Dorothy’s connection to Haliburton started very young, when her parents, Dorothy and Judson Cowie, brought her to local lodges in Haliburton. Later, she and Ron owned cottages on Canning and Little Straggle Lakes.  Once Ron retired, they moved to their ‘house on the hill’ in Haliburton and Dorothy continued to put her education to good use and along with her love of helping people, working at various agencies in the county including SIRCH, Hospice Haliburton and Sir Sanford Fleming College.  She dedicated herself to volunteering for agencies that were near and dear to her heart, such as the Scarborough Board of Health, John Howard Society, the Distress Centre in Scarborough, HHHS, and Family Services in Haliburton.

Dorothy will be remembered as a very kind, caring friend, always there to listen. She was known for her green thumb and beautiful gardens, where she spent hours and found real peace.  Her and Ron loved animals and there were often at least 2 dogs and a cat or two in her life, along with the odd raccoon or pigeon that she and her kids had rescued.  Her most recent pet, her very special orange cat Michael, has brought her great joy these last couple of years.

Dorothy took great pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She is survived by her children Jan and her partner Mark from Haliburton, Rick and his partner Karen Holladay from Toronto, Steve from Kitchener, and  Brad and his partner Ashley Owens from Airdrie, AB.  Her grandchildren Sarah (Lance), Alex (Jess), Ben, Simon, and Chelsea along with her two great-granddaughters, Audrey and Lucy, all brought her such great joy.  She is also survived by her much-loved sister, Marianne Bradbury (Keith), and her very special brothers-in-law Garry (Romana) and Brian (Karen).  She also leaves behind her oldest, most cherished friend from childhood, Carolyn. Dorothy had many dear friends in the community, young and old, who will miss her.

Dorothy and her family would like to thank Paisley along with the other very caring and kind paramedics from the EMS/Community Paramedic Program who visited her weekly, Sheena and Lyn from M.A.I.D, and her many kind and helpful PSWs who have helped her over the years.

Private Funeral Arrangements

As per Dorothy’s wishes, there will be no funeral service.  Cremation has taken place and a small private celebration of her life will take place when her family can gather again. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Dorothy’s memory can be made to SIRCH at:  P.O. Box 687, 49 Maple Ave, Unit 4, Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0. 705-457-1742. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the HALIBURTON COMMUNITY FUNERAL HOME 13523 Hwy. #118, Haliburton, Ontario (705) 457-9209.

“Ring the bells that still can ring 

Forget your perfect offering 

There is a crack in everything 

That's how the light gets in.”

-Leonard Cohen

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