There are some people whose presence fills every room they enter, whose laughter becomes part of the soundtrack of your life, and whose love is felt in countless little ways every day. Dorothy Mae Moore (née Symes) was one of those people.

On Thursday, July 30, 2026, Dorothy passed peacefully in her sleep and was welcomed into Heaven. While our hearts are broken, we find comfort knowing she lived exactly as she wanted to—with energy, determination, generosity, and an incredible love for family and friends.

Dorothy was born in Welland, Ontario, on November 18, 1941, into a large family where life was always busy and there was never a shortage of children to play with or stories to tell. Those early years shaped the woman everyone came to know—a woman who never met a stranger and never forgot a face.

Later, her family moved to Simcoe County, where she met the love of her life, Ted. Together they built not only a home in Essa Township, but a life full of laughter, hard work, and unconditional love as they raised their two sons, John and William. Their front door was rarely locked because everyone knew they were welcome. Neighbours became lifelong friends around potluck dinners, coffee at the kitchen table, and Dorothy's famous butter tarts and homemade pies, lovingly shared with anyone lucky enough to stop by.

Dorothy embraced every chapter of life with enthusiasm. She loved competition and became an accomplished marksman, proudly earning Ontario Championship Certificate as top female shooter in 1982. She worked hard in everything she did, including her years at Radio Shack and General Electric, where she earned the title of "Top Picker" on the line—a reflection of her determination and strong work ethic.

But what Dorothy will be remembered for most wasn't what she accomplished—it was how she made people feel.

She had an amazing ability to make everyone feel seen, remembered, and important. Years after meeting someone, she could still recall their name, ask about their family, and make them smile as though no time had passed. Her friendships stretched across the county, and every one of them was treasured.

She also found happiness in the simple things. She loved digging in the garden, watching flowers bloom, and spending time outdoors. This spring, she helped plant a beautiful garden of colourful zinnias for her family to enjoy. It somehow feels fitting that one of her final gifts was creating something so vibrant and full of life—a reflection of the woman she was herself.

Above everything else, Dorothy was happiest when surrounded by the people she loved. She was a devoted wife, a fiercely proud mother, a grandmother whose eyes lit up whenever she talked about her grandchildren, a caring sister, and the kind of friend everyone hopes to have. Her love was constant, her advice honest, and her hugs unforgettable.

She leaves behind her loving sons, John Edward Moore (Daniela) and William Robert Moore (Lara); her dear brother, Stuart Symes; and her six cherished grandchildren, Ryan, Kailee, Rebecca, Abigail, Stephanie, and Caleb Moore, who will carry her stories, her strength, and her love with them always.

Dorothy is now reunited with her beloved husband, Nelson Edward "Ted" Moore, as well as her siblings Pam, Jack, Roy, Robert, Betty, and Warren, all of whom she missed dearly.

The world feels a little quieter without Dorothy in it. We will miss her laugh, her stories, her baking, her beautiful gardens, and the way she could make any house feel like home simply by being there.

Our greatest comfort is knowing that the love she gave so freely did not end with her passing. It lives on in her children, her grandchildren, the friendships she nurtured, and in every butter tart baked, every flower planted, and every gathering where her memory will undoubtedly be shared with a smile.

Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever in our hearts.

A drop in celebration for Dorothy will be held on September 5th from 2:30 to 4:30 pm in Thornton.