A truly remarkable and memorable journey ended in Windsor, Ontario on January 7, 2021. As a mother, grandmother, nurse, psychologist and mentor, Lois leaves us a world better for having known her.
She was born on October 26, 1939 in Cache Bay, Ontario. Lois was the second of four girls born to Nellie and “Dobbie” Dobson. She leaves behind her three loving sisters, Gail Timm, Betty Allary and Mary Dobson, who were also lifelong friends. She loved her many nieces and nephews from the summers spent at Clear Lake.
Lois’ formative years growing up in Northern Ontario forged the grit and determination that was her hallmark. There was no challenge that Lois would not attempt. She played in the "bush" and swam in the frosty waters of Clear Lake. She attended a one room school house and claimed that she walked to Sturgeon Falls for high school. Lois took the bold step of leaving home to complete Nursing training at Ottawa Civic Hospital. It was there that she made lifelong friends and carved a path for the care and compassion she gave to others. It was in Ottawa that she met our Dad, John McGrory, and gave birth to her boys (Jay and Joel McGrory). Meredith McGrory came along a few years later in Windsor.
As a Mom, Lois gave us the unconditional love and support to succeed personally, professionally and, most importantly, with our families. She was always there for us, as she was for others. Our spouses, Janice Renaud (Jay), Kim Smith (Joel) and Darren Mercer (Meredith) will miss her as much as we do. We know she was proud of us all and we are her legacy.
No one was a more loving, doting and involved Grandma. Lois adored her grandchildren, “The Girls" as she called Emma, Abigail and Charlotte McGrory and the rare Dobson male, Jake McGrory (who she proudly called “my favourite grandson”). When they were little, Lois never tired of playing "princess" with the girls or building and building some more, with Jake. Lois loved her cottage at Clear Lake and she was thrilled when we visited her there. She would teach her grandchildren kayaking and take them blueberry picking on the "mountain".
Lois started her nursing career in Buffalo and continued in Detroit after our family moved to Windsor in 1969. Always a believer in gender equality and feminism, she returned to school and completed an M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Windsor, graduating in 1981. Lois began her third career as a psychologist at the Infant and Family Program. As Executive Director she nurtured this grass roots organization to become what it is today, Children First. Lois touched the lives of many families whose young children had special needs.
In retirement, when she was not travelling or spending summers at her cottage Lois enjoyed numerous activities. She was an avid birder, enjoyed reading, going to the movies and trips to the Symphony and Opera with friends. Her closest friend, and fourth sister, was Helen Martin. Their friendship began in the 1960’s and endured. She will be missed by Helen’s children, Tal and Dafna Czudner, who fondly called her Aunt Lois.
If desired, donations in Lois’ name can be made to one of her favorite charities, Doctors Without Borders
We are grateful for everyone’s love and support in the past month. We are also grateful for the guidance from Dr. Roxanna Chow and her caring personal and medical attention. Cremation has taken place and our plan is to have a memorial celebration of Lois Dobson’s life when it is safer to gather. Arrangements entrusted to Families First South Windsor (519)-969-5841.