
Vernon, Dorothy 'Dode'
Dorothy ‘Dode’ Vernon was born almost 91 years ago and except for her mother not allowing it, I think she would have had a set of knitting needles in her hand. She never met a craft she didn’t love.

I think 10 minutes after she arrived in Heaven she would have been teaching God how to do needlework.
Her early years were spent in Toronto. Her father gave her a baseball glove for a birthday present when she was a little girl so that gives you some idea of what kind of a fabulous wife, she turned out to be.
We have 3 sons & she successfully raised them with the odd helpful hint from me. They are all very happily married to 3 beautiful ladies who are very happy Dorothy raised them rather than me.
Dorothy and I came close to having our 66th Wedding Anniversary and we had a lot of fun getting there. We also met & made friends with a ton of interesting people so all-in-all we did all right.
If you knew Dorothy, you loved her and if you unfortunately never met her, you missed a dynamic and absolutely beautiful, fun woman.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
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Make a donation in memory of Dorothy 'Dode' Vernon
Donations: Ontario Federation for Cerebral PalsyDonate with the following link(s)
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/16967?v2=true
Donate securely through Ferguson Funeral Home
Monday, January 6, 2025
Dorothy was everything that her obituary said. She brought laughter and joy to everyone she met. I was privileged to be one of who experienced friendship with her and Bill. My sincere condolences to Bill, their sons and extended family.
Bill Baker
Monday, January 6, 2025
It was always fun when Dorothy was in the Blue Mountains library either behind the counter or sorting the new books. She was lively, fun and enjoyed being with people.
Monday, January 6, 2025
Dorothy was an AMAZING lady. She had a flair for doing so many creative things. One of my personal favourites was her ability to put together beautiful outfits that she would show off to friends as she loved to shop at bargain stores. Always a necklace or earrings to match every outfit. She was always very proud of her family. We will treasure our many years of fun and parties in the sunny south where she enjoyed many winter seasons. Dorothy you will be missed.
Jim & Denise
Monday, January 6, 2025
Our sympathies to the Vernon family on the loss of a wife,other mother in law, grandchildren, relatives and friend. The world has loss s wonderful lady. Her beautiful smile will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.❤️❤️
Monday, January 6, 2025
I think Dorothy and I started at the L.E. Shore Library about the same time. She was certainly one of our earliest, longest serving, and most enthusiastic volunteers. She was great fun to be around too, and I loved working with her. I also remember that, when I was new to town, you both made me feel very welcome, inviting me to your house on Elma Street and feeding me an amazing pasta dinner. We have missed Dorothy’s presence in the library, but she was never absent from our thoughts. She is greatly missed. Take care.
Monday, January 6, 2025
If we hadn’t met briefly standing in line to view the ornate old movie theaters in downtown L.A., we would have missed years of sharing our lives full of love and hilarious fun. I feel so fortunate to have picked you both up on the streets of L.A. Despite your Canadian reluctance to meet up with such an aggressive stranger, we four of us formed an instant bond that lasted for decades. Manny and I loved you both. I suppose my Manny and your Dorothy are up in heaven still sending their love to us. Don’t you feel it? Aren’t we the lucky ones?
Monday, January 6, 2025
Bill – I was sorry to hear of Dorothy’s passing. She was a true ‘lady’! May your wonderful memories help you & your family through this difficult time. Bonnie Hammond
Monday, January 6, 2025
My moms table mate, god bless
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Bill, Dorothy was one of the greatest volunteers the library was ever fortuate enough to have. She was always fun to work with. She is sorely missed.
Saturday, January 11, 2025
I met Dorothy when I was struggling to get all my work done at a little hospital in Marina del Rey. I was assigned a volunteer and told that she would be helping me because even though they needed volunteers with the patients, this woman couldn’t stand the sight of blood. So I got lucky because Dorothy didn’t like to see blood. Lucky me! We became friends within a day and best friends within 48 hours and life long friends shortly thereafter.
If I had any regrets in my life, one might be that Dorothy and I were separated when I moved to Northern California and she and Bill moved back to Canada. We were on opposite sides of North America and it was a struggle to see each other. But we never lost touch. Emails, calls and some great visits kept us together.
This is going to be a selfish message because most of it is about how much I miss her. She was the best friend I ever had as a “grown up” woman. She was my sister, my friend, my confidant and in some cases my older sister who wasn’t afraid to boss me around when I needed it. I have never ever had anyone else in my entire life even come close to being that good of a friend. And yes, I feel unbelievably lucky to have known her.
I didn’t just get to know her. We worked together, played together, traveled together, had mutual friends together. We did everything together. I took care of their dogs when they would go on trips. (Poor Killer didn’t do well as I kept giving him treats I wasn’t supposed to).
When I started a company Dorothy got upset when I didn’t ask her to come help. She said it wouldn’t matter that we were best friends and that if our friendship got in the way of business she would leave. The business was successful because of her. She took care of every person who worked there. And when it closed down, she was the one who hosted our “farewell” party. Bill even got involved by joining the board of directors. I got two for one on that business and probably that is why it was so successful – and so much fun.
She helped me through good times, bad times, a divorce, and even though she was a staunch Catholic, never questioned my decision about that last thing. She just loved me.
So will I miss Dorothy? Always. Her memory is so strong and good that I will never lose her. I just have a thousand happy memories that keep me going.
Thank you Bill for setting up this page so we can write things like this. I know how you feel and just want you to know that you are loved and that people are holding you in their hearts as you go through this time of loss.
Guia
Sunday, January 12, 2025
I didn’t know you very well but loved what I knew
The Parkinson society and church
RIP dear lady
Sunday, January 12, 2025
I LOVE MY NANNY WITH ALL MY HEART . SHE MY ANGEL NOW.:(
Monday, January 13, 2025
Bill and Family,
It was such a shock seeing that Dorothy had died. I thought that woman was indestructible!
I didn’t know Dorothy long but I could tell she was a woman who was used to being in control. My favourite memory was when she was instructing Bethany Rupp’s son and daughter on how to decorate the Christmas tree in the Meaford LTC dining room. She was truly in her element that morning.
Monday, January 13, 2025
Bill and family,
I first got to know Dorothy when I was conscripted to help out with the Christmas bazaar at the church. Dorothy seemed to be a driving force behind the event with her cousin Eileen Reade. She set up the different “stations” and directed the volunteers where they should be and how the items should be priced. I think Dorothy made and contributed many of the items herself. She was very creative and had such a gift with colour!
Rest in peace, Dorothy!