Obituary of DOROTHY GORAY

DOROTHY GORAY (nee KOROL) It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Dorothy Goray, at the Grace Hospital on June 11, 2014, at the age of 79. Dorothy (meaning God’s gift) is survived by her seven children; Shirley, Susie (Bruce) Shearer, Dan (Heidi), Debbie, Sandra (Kerry) Sampson, David, Thomas (Marsha); grandchildren, Jordan and Phillip; Lisa, David and Thomas; Caley and Sara; Tyler, Terrence and Taylor; and Devan and Stephanie; great-grandchildren, Michael and Casey; sister Mary Pachkowski; brother Steve (Luba) Korol; sisters-in-law, Harris Korol and Cathy Korol; as well as many nieces, nephews, neighbours, friends and her two beloved pugs, Puggy and Billy. She was predeceased by her loving husband John in 1997; brothers, Bill (Anne) Moroz, Matt (Ethel) Korol, Andy (Elsie) Korol, Fred Korol, Mike Korol; brother-in-law, Russ Pachkowski; nephews, Mike Pachkowski and Fred Moroz; niece, Eva Korol and son-in-law, Fayez Hakeem. Dorothy was born in the Ukrainian farming community of Mink Creek, Manitoba on March 17, 1935 to Maxim and Julia (Moroz) Korol. She married John Goray and together they raised their seven children in the Rhodes area and in 1972 moved with their family to Winnipeg. Life on the farm in the 50’s and 60’s was challenging and labour intensive. Dorothy and John tilled the land, planted wheat and other grains, raised cattle, pigs and chickens without the modern conveniences we now take for granted. This tiny, remarkable woman, a devoted wife and mother, was a tower of strength, a powerhouse of energy, efficient, organized, diligent and hard working and taught her children the values of hard work, humility, resilience and family. Dorothy was an avid gardener and greatly enjoyed tending to her gardens, both on the farm in Rhodes and in Winnipeg. She also enjoyed her daily walks in all weather conditions - sun, rain, fog, snow and bitter cold, often logging several miles a day. Once her children and grandchildren were grown, her passion turned towards rescuing animals, especially those who were abused, mistreated or abandoned. Over the course of 25 years, she fed and nurtured countless abandoned cats and kittens, ensuring that, when there was no hope for survival of any one of these vulnerable creatures, they were brought to rescue animal shelters rather than left to wander the streets. She also had an enormous collection of stuffed teddy bears and other stuffed animals. She donated numerous bags of these toys to both the Children’s Hospital and to needy children in the Philippines. Funeral Service will be held on Monday, June 16, 2014 at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Don McIntyre officiating. Interment to follow at Brookside Cemetery. Reception will be held following the interment at Cropo Funeral Chapel. Pallbearers will be Dan, David and Thomas Goray, Kerry, Tyler and Terrence Sampson. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dorothy may be made to Cat Tails Rescue Inc., c/o Machray Animal Hospital, 1039 McPhillips Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2X 2K6.