Dorothy Colby left us, peacefully, after 91 years of living.
In Dorothy’s final moments, she was surrounded by family and friends. Her face was cradled by her oldest son, Jim, as he told her that her other sons, Craig and Scott, were on the way, that she was going to a place where family would be waiting for her, and that she was going to be ok. Her husband Peter and Jim’s fiancé Joanne were also bedside, with Peter comforting Dorothy as he always had, especially in recent years while she fiercely fought against the unyielding march of dementia.
It’s appropriate that Dorothy left feeling loved, comforted by truthful words, because that is what she provided the world in abundance, both personally to friends and family and professionally as a columnist for The Chronicle-Journal and other publications.
Dorothy Jacobson was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, on Sept. 11, 1933, to Norman and Cora Jacobson, with her sister Joan waiting for her new sibling. Together, they sold Girl Guide Cookies to Dr. John Kellogg, the man who invented breakfast cereal. As a teen, Dorothy added two scoops to boxes of Raisin Bran.
In her 20s, Dorothy caught the eye of a charismatic tennis player, Peter Colby, who proposed to her at the drive-in double feature between “A Man Called Peter” and “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing.”
Dorothy taught primary school until she brought Jim into the world. When Peter said he wanted to get a Ph.D., she provided unconditional support. At the University of Minnesota she brought two more sons into the world. If it sounds difficult, it was, but that never deterred this Viking princess.
Five years in Ann Arbor were followed by the big move to Thunder Bay, Ontario, the perfect home for a nature lover. The family spent winter weekends on the slopes of Mount Baldy.
Dorothy was an unrestrained champion of her son’s activities, never missing a game or performance. She was just as passionate in her own pursuits, primarily her truest calling, writing. Dorothy was best known for her column in The Chronicle Journal, Musings. The witty, twisting tales often involved Peter, who she called You Know Who, shortened to Y-K-W to beat the word count. Her sons became known to readers as Son Nos. 1, 2 and 3.
Dorothy didn’t keep her gifts to herself. She taught writing, and co-founded a writers’ festival with her friend, Aldo Ruberto. She was the biggest fan of anyone brave enough to stretch their wings.
Whoever walked through the door at Hinton Avenue was consumed in conversation. Dorothy took an immediate and avid interest in visitors’ lives. There is a long list of fourth sons and honorary Colbys. She loved people and wasn’t afraid to show it. They loved her back.
Grandchildren received even more attention, with special stories, songs, and teasing. She played with them even more than they played with her.
Dorothy wasn’t just fun. She was also fierce, compelled to say the things that needed to be said, whether it was comfortable or not. Dorothy Colby was engaged, enthusiastic and used up every bit of life. She enriched everyone who knew her.
The family is grateful for the love and support of Marilyn and Al Chisolm, and Gloria and Terry Ferguson. The Colbys want to thank St. Joseph’s Hospital and Southbridge Roseview for caring for Dorothy in her final years.
Dorothy is survived by her husband, Peter, her sons, Jim (Joanne), Craig (Nancy), and Scott (Natasha), grandchildren Danielle, Mitch, Shane, Curtis, Isaac, and Savanne, sister Joan (Jacobson) Candoli, nieces Julie and Carol, and nephew, Louis. She is predeceased by her father Norman Jacobson, and mother Cora (Isaacson) Jacobson.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 23, 2024 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church at 10 Farrand St., Thunder Bay, ON. The service will be livestreamed on the Sargent & Son Facebook page. Donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated. Online condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com.
