Dora Ferne Thompson (nee French)

Dora Ferne Thompson (nee French) passed away in Regency Manor in Central Butte, SK on Tuesday, January 28th, 2014.  Dora was born May 10th, 1923 to Robert and Helena French of the Glen Kerr area.  She grew up with her brother Bill and her sister Helen.  Dora went to Lethbridge to work for TWA airlines.  She moved back to the Riverhurst District to work for the Thompson family, which is where she met her future husband, Bill.  Bill and Dora were married on October 10th, 1946 and remained on the family farm where Don, Neil and Clayton were raised.  Times weren’t always easy, but Bill and her loved to play cards with the neighbours, they square danced, and evening get-togethers were frequent.  Dora shipped cream and sold Avon for her extra spending money.  She loved a good practical joke and was active on local committees and organizations.  Later when they moved to town, she loved working with Betty Peterson at the café and stayed as active as possible.  After Bill passed away, she needed more activity and moved to Moose Jaw, where she had a wide circle of friends and later met her friend Ernie Yeadon, who was a very special man.  Later when dementia started taking over on her, she fought hard to remain where she was, but eventually moved to Chez Nous and then on to Regency Manor in Central Butte, SK, where the staff were her guardian angels!  Initially she was known as “Dora the Explorer” as she continued being active and energetic.  It was only recently that she started slowing down some and the family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Manor for their personal touch over the past several years.  She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Bill; brother, Bill; sister, Helen (Pem); numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and of course, her special friend Ernie.  Dora leaves to mourn, her sons: Don (Connie), Neil (Carol) and Clayton (Linda); her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren: Trent: Kendra (Mac) Marley, Tanisha, Zoe and Tyler; Trina (Todd): Amara, Kenzie and Jolie; Leah (Tim): Hailey and Kassidy; Lori (T.J.): Chloe and Kane; Lana (Justin): Elle and Dylan; Kelly: Rowan and Ryker; Kara (Jason): Codey and Tyler; Kristen (Kris): Kelsey, Kennedy and Keegan; as well as her sister-in-law, Helen Golia; many nieces and nephews and their families; and many good friends.  A Celebration of Dora’s Life will be held on Saturday, April 19th, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. in the Riverhurst Hall, Riverhurst, SK.  Pastor Wendy Gibson will officiate and interment will take place at Riverhurst Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Dora’s name may be made to the Regency Manor Auxiliary, P.O. Box 361, Central Butte, SK S0H 0T0.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Gary McDowell, Funeral Director 306-693-4550