Dorset Hazel Ross

Dorset Hazel Ross (Stephenson)

Dec 3, 1928 - Aug 14, 2023

Dorset grew up in West Vancouver, beloved daughter of Arthur and Violet Stephenson and sister of brother Dene. She went to Hollyburn Elementary, West Van High, and then Normal School to become a teacher. She loved teaching in Ootischenia and at Southlands in Vancouver.

Dorset married her childhood friend, Donald Norman Ross [died 1995], and they had eight children: Lindsay, Kristin, Jamie (Sylvia); Missy [died 2005]; Nicholas (Tanya); Katrina (Don); Heidi [died 2023]; and Jeremy (Tammy); and grandchildren: Katherine; Chahalis; Sebastian, Macaulay, Jonah, Samuel; Monica (James); Eleisha (Brad & Elsie), Alexandra, Arden, and Sawyer.

Dorset was clever and creative with a whimsical imagination, a love of art, design, nature, and animals. She took great pleasure in all the beauty she saw around her until the end of her life. She was an avid reader and learner with an interest in politics that led her to a UVIC Poli-Sci course in her eighties. She believed in standing up for fairness for everyone and instilled this in her children. Despite ongoing health challenges, she was always more concerned about others, and family was always closest to her heart.

Thanks to Dr. Argouarch and RN Corrine Painter for the care that allowed Dorset to finally be healthy after the deaths of our father and our sister, and to our friends Shebe Shmidt and Jeanni Waksel who helped us care for her. Also to Dr. Warrington and team at VGH ER and to Dr. Riddler and team at RJH 5N for person-centred care, to RN Dwayne Potentau for his kindness, to John Dodds for his support, and to Dr. Smardon for his many years as her family doctor.

We miss Dorset’s charming, caring company and are celebrating her life today, October 7th, 2023. To honour her, please consider contributing time or a donation to make a difference for someone.