DOBSON – Pearl Irene

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Irene Dobson.  Mom left us on Easter Sunday morning, April 20, 2014, at the age of 101 and six months.

Irene was born to Fred and Minnie Babcock, at her Uncle Mark and Aunt Mary’s homestead located south east of Coleville, Saskatchewan, on October 4, 1912.  She was the oldest of four siblings, two of whom died in childhood, leaving her sister Grace, 18 years apart.  She was raised on a farm southeast of Kerrobert.   Growing up she idolized her dad and was in many ways his ‘right hand man’.  She took pride in the fact that she had often driven his eight horse hitch in the field.  She loved telling stories about riding ‘Little Frank’ to school and then later driving her dad’s team and picking up the neighbor kids on the way.  She loved farm life and one of the hardest things in her life was when she had to move off the farm.  After completing grade 10 at Avoca School she went to work as a hired girl for a number of farm families, who all became lifelong friends.  In the 1930’s she worked for the Thacker’s in Dowd Hill District near Dodsland where she met Herb Dobson and they were married on May 26, 1937.  They spent a number of years working with Tom Body, who had taken over the Thacker farm. It was there that Lorne was born in 1943.  Dwight and Duane were born in 1947 and by this time Herb and Irene had moved to their farm in Viewfair School District.  Due to Herb’s health they moved to town for the winters after the early 50’s they continued to farm until 1967.  After Herb’s passing in 1971 she continued to live in Dodsland until 1999 when she moved into Pioneer’s Haven in Kerrobert.  After falling and fracturing her hip on her 94th birthday, she moved to Maple Creek to be close to family.  Mom was a hard worker and did whatever jobs needed to be done.  She loved to cook and bake.  Her raisin tarts and her jam-jams were among family favorites.  She loved people and was always ready to jump in with a helping hand wherever needed.  She was always ready to respond with her wit, which remained, even when her memory was failing her.  She was cheerful, kind, loving and generous and nothing was too much or too hard when it came to her boys and their families. Irene was predeceased by her parents, Fred and Minnie Babcock, her siblings; Harry, Dorothy and Grace; her husband, Herb in 1971. She is survived by and fondly remembered by her sons and their families.  Lorne and Barbara Dobson, Kim Ostrinski, Kent Dobson and Judy Gazra; Dwight and Nancy Dobson, Kelly and Craig Marshall (Bella and Sam), Jeff Dobson and Stacey Hallam (Clint and Linden); Duane and Carol Dobson; Jared and Amy Dobson (Silas and Ella), Jennifer and Vance Hogg (Zoe, Riley and Lexie), Jodi Dobson; Janelle Dobson and John Uganecz (Blair, Johnny, Jackson and Sophie). Sister-in-law, Joy Dobson and numerous nephews and nieces and their families. The funeral service was held in Dodsland United Church in Dodsland, Sask. on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 2 p.m. with Pastor Gary Williams officiating. Urn bearers were Irene’s family. Honorary pallbearers were all those shared in Irene’s life. A private family interment will take place in the Dodsland District Cemetery. Friends who wish to, may remember Irene with a gift to the Dodsland Clinic, Dodsland Skating Rink Renovation Fund or to the Cypress Lodge Maple Creek for resident activities, Box 1330, Maple Creek, Sask.  S0N 1N0. To email an expression of sympathy you may visit www.gonebutnotforgotten.ca. Binkley’s Funeral Service, Maple Creek and Leader, in charge of arrangements 306-662-2292