Dorothy Jean Collins Gilmer

Dorothy Jean Collins Gilmer (Clarke), 98, of Saskatoon, SK, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2023, in Saskatoon. A funeral service will be held at Dundurn United Church at 2pm on Saturday, October 7, 2023, with Rev. Peter Gilmer officiating. A social gathering will follow.

Dorothy was born on October 11, 1924, in Stalwart, SK. She grew up during the Depression in Froude, Trossachs and Hazenmore. After completing high school and Normal School (to become a teacher) she taught for a year before enlisting in the RCAFWD. After the war, she attended the University of Saskatchewan and received her B.Ed. While there she met and married Bill Gilmer who was finishing a degree in Agriculture. He later trained as a United Church minister. Over the next 71 years they lived in Ceylon SK, Oberlin (Ohio), Wilkie, Assiniboia, Melfort, Swift Current, Thode and Saskatoon.

Dorothy was a dedicated and gifted teacher specializing in math who taught in five decades. In retirement Dorothy became a meticulous and creative stained-glass artist whose work is found in churches, including Dundurn United. Dorothy held great empathy for those who suffered injustice, balanced with a joyful and pragmatic disposition. Dorothy had a love of gardening, reading, math, puzzles and games. She was always curious and a lifelong learner. She was an avid swimmer until the age of 85 and walked the South Saskatchewan River bank and then the local park until she was 95. She was also a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother with a gentle spirit.

Dorothy was predeceased by husband Bill in 2019, parents Frank and Susan, brothers Jim, Bill, Jack, Don and Harvey, son in law David Glaze and grandson Peter Poorman. Left to cherish her memory are sister Betty, children Susan, Jack (Julie), Peter (Pearl), grandchildren Sarah (Trevor), Alice (Andrew), Louise (Jim), Anna (Tom), great grandchildren Ellis, Malcolm, Torin, Elizabeth, Katherine, John and Callum and many nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to the staff of Luther Intermediate Care Home for their dedicated and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Doctors Without Borders, Planned Parenthood, or an agency or cause of your choice.

Martens Warman Funeral Home is honoured to be entrusted with the care and arrangements of Dorothy Gilmer