In Loving Memory of
 Dorothy Muriel Shewfelt 
(nee Twilley) 
age 94
She is survived by her daughter Lauren, son Grant (Bronwen), granddaughters Leah (Sydney) and Jazlyn (Taylor) and great-grandson Nolan.  She was predeceased by her husband David and her son Douglas.

 

Died
July 6, 2023
Rock Lake Hospital
Crystal City, Manitoba

 

Memorial Service
Thursday, July 13, 2023 
St. Andrew’s United Church
Manitou, Manitoba
2:00 p.m.

 

Donations in memory of Dorothy may be 
made to the Lung Association, Manitoba; 
825 Sherbrook St. Room 204, 
Winnipeg, MB R3A 1M5. 
 

 

 

DOROTHY MURIEL (TWILLEY) SHEWFELT

(May 26, 1929 – July 6, 2023) 

Dorothy Shewfelt of Manitou, MB passed away peacefully at Rock Lake Hospital, Crystal City on July 6, 2023 at the age of 94.  

She is survived by her daughter Lauren; son Grant and his partner Bronwen Dobson; granddaughter Leah, her husband Sydney Herring  and their son Nolan; granddaughter Jazlyn and her husband Taylor Bramwell.  Dorothy was predeceased by her husband David in 2005 and her son Douglas in 2013.  Dorothy will also be dearly missed by Bronwen’s family including Jayden, Graham and Brooklyn Dobson who chose Dorothy as their Grandma D.,  and by her many nieces, nephews, and their families including:  Sharon, Carol, Beverly, Diane, John, Lauraine and Leslie (Twilley); Pat, Bruce and Michelle (Wallcraft); and Elaine, Rob, and Louise (Shewfelt).  Dorothy was additionally predeceased by her parents, her siblings, her niece Anne Dalton and nephews Barry Shewfelt and Keith Wallcraft, and by her Twilley and Shewfelt sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law as well as several other extended family members.  

Dorothy was born to parents Fred and Edith (Watson) Twilley and grew up in the Swan River – Minitonas area with older brother Jack and older sister Joan. She attended school in the Roaring River district and Swan River Collegiate, then in Winnipeg at the Tuxedo Teacher’s College (Normal School) as well as the U of M school of Fine Arts. She later taught school for many years in various places throughout Manitoba and Ontario.  She and Dave were married August 2, 1958 and she settled on his farm in the Kingsley district where they raised their three children, Lauren born in 1960, Douglas in 1961 and Grant in 1964.  Dorothy and Dave bought a house and retired to Manitou in 1995 and enjoyed several years there prior to Dave’s passing in 2005.  Dorothy later moved to a suite in Pembina Manitou Place in 2009 where she lived until her passing. 

Dorothy was always a very artistic and creative person. She excelled at several disciplines including sewing, oil painting, ceramics, sculpture, cake decorating, and creative writing. She penned numerous personal interest articles as well as contributed to a regular column in the local newspaper for several years, plus had a knack for writing skits which people would perform for various events. Though not returning to full-time teaching after her marriage, Dorothy remained on call as a substitute teacher as well as teaching Sunday School and functioning in a teaching and leadership role within the  4-H club and various other community activities. In her earlier years she was involved in church activities in various capacities while in later years she enjoyed membership and activities with the Red Hats society. 

As a couple, Dave and Dorothy worked together on the farm but also enjoyed going camping in the summer as a retreat from day-to-day responsibilities. Camping at Mt. Carmel as well as attending old time dances and state-side Polka Parties with their good friends were favorite memories. In retirement they were able to go on several trips together including Alaska, various other U.S.A destinations, and Australia/New Zealand/Fiji. They also enjoyed a variety of local activities such as golfing, square dancing  and volunteering for various community programs and events such as Meals on Wheels and the Festival of Nations.  Dorothy did not join Dave on the curling ice but she became an enthusiastic floor curler, even going on to travel throughout the province to compete with her friends at several senior games competitions. 

Dorothy’s later years came with challenges.  It was very difficult for her when her husband Dave succumbed to cancer at age 79 and also a shock when her son Doug died suddenly of a heart attack at age 51. Nevertheless, Dorothy persevered, maintaining her independence to the best of her ability. She remained very sharp of mind and welcomed visits from family, especially if it afforded a chance for a few board or word games (of her choice). Stating that she would not travel again after Dave died; she rallied to fly to B.C. in July 2019 to attend her granddaughter Leah’s wedding. She declared during the festivities that she “felt 10 years younger!” She was very much looking forward to her granddaughter Jazlyn’s wedding in June 2023. 

A memorial service was held on Thursday July 13 at 2:00 pm St. Andrew’s United Church, Manitou, MB with Rev. Melanie Kauppila officiating. 

The family would like to thank the staff of Boundary Trails Health Centre, Winkler and Rock Lake Hospital in Crystal City for their care for Dorothy, as well as to her primary health care provider Brenda Dow (nurse practitioner) for ongoing care over the last several years. We would also like to thank Home Care services, Pembina Services to Seniors and various other friends and neighbors who generously provided support to allow Dorothy to maintain her independence for as long as possible. 

We would ask that if desired, donations be made to The Lung Association, Manitoba;   825 Sherbrook St, Winnipeg R3A 1M5.