Dorothy May (Cole) Sieben
Born Feb. 19, 1928
Went to heaven Feb. 15, 2014
After an initial fall and then a rather lengthy stay at Bulkley Valley District Hospital, surrounded by her loving daughters on Feb. 15th at 2:55pm I said one last, “I love you mom” as my mother passed from this world. My lovely mom: the role model and mentor of my life who taught me, despite circumstances in life, to “choose joy”; in the darkest of valleys, to “trust God”; and to “love others” as God sees value in everyone. Though mom’s body was failing her over the last 7 years it was the love for her 4 daughters, her 14 grandchildren, and now 19 great grandchildren (2 yet to be born) that kept giving mom a reason to get out of bed every day. Mom was my very best friend among best friends and I will miss her each and every day but I am so thankful that God saw fit to give her to me for so much of my earthly life before He took her home. I am so thankful that she was MY mom; my lovely mom.
Mom gave “all” to much in her life from the time she was a child, often taking on responsibilities far beyond her years. What a wonderful example she was to me; always looking at life with joy and pouring herself into everything she did. Lives were touched by her time and her love. Many times we girls joked that mom was, “All-or-Nothing Dot”. But in reality she was only “all”. Anyone who knew her enjoyed her company and will remember the fun, friendly, upbeat, pretty lady with the quick, saucy wit, and a zest for life, who often had a word of compliment. But where mom shone the brightest was by being “mom”. What an every day blessing and a model she always was for me.
I would like to thank the many people in Terrace (where mom was born and raised) and those in Smithers (where mom had made it “home” for the last 18 years after the passing of our dear dad) who knew mom and who added richly to her life in the bonds of friendship. A special appreciation to her “pen-pal”, Anne Molitor, for the correspondence mom enjoyed with her since mom’s 1995 move from Terrace to Smithers. Mom had a passion for reading and writing and for more than 18 years mom and Anne kept in touch by weekly lengthy letters. I’d also like to acknowledge and thank Mary McCrea, mom’s friend and next door neighbor at the Alpine Village Estates, Smithers, for the kindred spirit and friendship mom enjoyed with her for so many lovely years. Mom cherished her close friends and I was always so very thankful to God for them, too.
Thank you, staff at BVDH who tenderly cared for mom and for we, her daughters: the doctors, nurses, kitchen staff, and janitors…..so many who reached out to us in compassion; so loving, caring, kind, and supportive. We were truly blessed.
A special thank you to Dr. Kotze, for her years of home visits when mom found it most difficult to get out and for the years of love, kindness, and friendship you shared with my mom. Mom loved you and I know you felt the same. Thank you, too, Dr. Kotze, for the care, support, and friendship you shared with me and my sisters as we cared for mom those many days in the hospital: special moments together to remember and to treasure. Many of mine and my mom’s friends reached out to my family with visits, soups, coffees, pizzas, flowers, cards, texts, hugs, tears, and kind words. I thank God for each of you. Bless you.
Four days after mom’s passing, on February 19th, mom spent her first birthday in heaven with our Jesus and with our dad. What a beautiful image. I will love you and will miss you forever, mom…..But we’ll be together again…Until that day I’ll remind myself of what you said to us in the hospital…This life is lovely...and God is still in control…..Tenderly and lovingly submitted by her youngest daughter, Yvonne Wittke
A celebration of life will take place in Terrace, B.C. on Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m. at the Pentecostal Church.