Dorothy Zadoroznik
April 24, 1925 - October 8, 2025
In Loving Memory of Dorothy Zadoroznik
We celebrate the remarkable life of centenarian Dorothy Zadoroznik, our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She passed away peacefully at Victoria Hospital in the early morning of October 8, 2025.
Dorothy is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Margaret Kendrick (Rob), son, George Zadoroznik, grandchildren Darcy Granove (Michael), Michael Fisher (Natashia), and Stephanie Ford (Dustin) as well as step-grandson David MacKinnon (Lauren). She was deeply cherished by her great-grandchildren Lucy, William, Jackson, Reid, Hayden, Zoe, Tenley and Alexandria, all who brought her endless joy.
She was predeceased by her husband William (1998), her father John (1987), her mother Mary (1990) and her sisters Lillian (2010) and Nellie (2018).
Dorothy was born in Rabbit Lake, Saskatchewan, where her early years were spent helping her parents on their family farm – planting crops, gardens, picking wild berries, hunting rabbit, milking cows, gathering eggs from the chicken coop and tending to daily chores on their homestead. She was a very good student and excelled in Math (in fact, she continued to complete her own tax returns into her 90's). It was a very hard life and she carried the learnings and work ethic throughout her life. She always enjoyed sports and was an avid baseball player.
She travelled by horse and wagon to nearby communities to play games. As a young adult, she played with the Meadow Lake Stampeders softball club and was so proud to be a part of a provincial championship team. During the war years, she worked as a nurse’s aid in the Meadow Lake Hospital; later she worked in Dr. Bigelow’s Meadow Lake medical office.
She met her beloved Bill (William) at the Meadow Lake pool hall he owned and they were married in February 1952 beginning a 46 year marriage and lifetime of love and adventure.
Bill and Dorothy moved to Manitoba in 1955. They first farmed in Ile des Chênes and later in La Salle. They worked very hard to make a good life and were very fortunate to retire in 1988, at the age of 65 and 63 respectively. They bought their new retirement home in Winnipeg, to stay close to their family and enjoyed the next decade together. They travelled all over Canada and in much of the United States and Europe. They were avid bowlers and enjoyed card games. But most of all, they enjoyed family and cherished time with their grandchildren. Their passion for gardening continued and slowly the lawn area of their landscaped backyard was converted to an enlarged garden area. Dorothy was so proud of the many vegetables and fruit she grew and preserved. She also enjoyed her flower gardens with many perennials and bright colored marigolds, petunias, dahlias and daisies.
A strong and devoted matriarch, Dorothy found her greatest happiness in family gatherings. Her table was always filled with her famous homemade dishes – varenyky, lupsha, pyrizhky, soups, cabbage rolls, doughnuts – made with love and shared with generosity. She was always ready to lend a hand, whether it was helping with projects, tidying up or offering comfort when it was needed most.
Independent and full of life, she filled her widowed years with bowling, curling and active involvement in her senior groups. Always ready with a song to sing (usually off key) or photo album to share for anyone who stopped by, she loved a good game of bingo or cards and found happiness in the simple moments shared with family and friends. Until a couple of months before her passing, she could still hold back cards to ensure she won the game!
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Penny for her companionship and care, and to the doctors and staff at Victoria Hospital for their professionalism, compassion, and kindness during Dorothy’s final days.
Dorothy achieved her goal of living to 100, in her home. She accomplished much in her long life but she will best be remembered for the way her caring and generosity touched the lives of her family; that will be carried in our hearts forever. She will be deeply missed.
A private family ‘celebration of life’ was held in her honour.
Branch & Pyre Cremation Care