Dorothy Mavis Strong

After a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, Dorothy Mavis Strong (nee Evenson) passed away peacefully on July 23, 2024 at the Lions’ Prairie Manor in Portage la Prairie at the age of 91 years, one month and 23 days.

She was born on June 17, 1933 at Morden MB and lived with her parents and brother on a farm just west of Haskett until their move to their family farm south of Lake Minnewasta in Morden.  

After high school Dorothy began her first job at Princes Elizabeth Hospital in Winnipeg as a Nurses' Aide. She worked there for two years, then met and married her first husband, Fred Barchet and they farmed north of Amaranth, Manitoba. Their union lasted six years until their divorce. Dorothy moved to BC and worked for CN Railway as a waitress. There she became ill and returned home for surgery. 

Two years later she met and married Elmer Strong. They took over Elmer’s parents’ homestead in Airedale, Manitoba, where they continued to farm until Elmer’s sudden passing in March 2003. 

Dorothy centered her life around her family, her animals and the farm. In June 2003 she retired to Portage la Prairie because she and Elmer had decided this would be their retirement community. 

Once settled in her apartment, Dorothy became more outgoing. Living in town was a new way of life and it wasn’t long before she found herself volunteering in the Soup Kitchen, making new friends, and meeting new people from all walks of life. Dorothy was an avid reader, enjoyed knitting and working on jigsaw puzzles. She created many pairs of mitts and socks for the churches. Dorothy hated sitting idle. If she wasn’t doing anything, she’d be visiting or running errands for her neighbors in her block. 

Dorothy was predeceased by her husband Elmer Strong; parents Martha and Clarence Evenson; parents-in-law Alice and Thomas Strong; brother-in-law Jack Strong, sister-in-law Judy, sisters-in-law Marjorie Minton, Doreen (George) Howatt, and friend Sheila. Surviving are her brother Elmer (Catherine) Evenson; sister-in-law Joan McLaughlin, brother-in-law Bill Minton; along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Much gratitude is extended to Alma Thomson for her friendship, care and concern over many years. Thanks to the staff at Lions’ Prairie Manor for their kindness to Dorothy since her move there in 2012.  

Funeral Service will be held at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. Interment is to follow at Lakeland Cemetery. 

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Dorothy’s memory to Central Plains Cancer Care Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8 or to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba 40 Royal Road North, Portage la Prairie MB R1N 1V1.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com