CHARLOTTE (DEDE) MALLORY

Charlotte (Dede) Mallory, 80, of 320 Third St. E., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances on Monday, Oct. 14, 2002.
She was born Aug. 20, 1922 in Fort William, Ont. to the late Charles Ambrose and Ruth (Ditmars) Gorham. Dede was raised in Rainy River, Ont. and later graduated from the Moulton School for Girls in Toronto.
She then attended Nursing School at the Winnipeg General Hospital and Health Sciences Centre, and graduated in 1946. That same year following her marriage to Orlo “Bud” Mallory, they moved to Fort Frances.
Her nursing career included casualty evenings at La Verendrye Hospital, two years in the Fort Frances Clinic, two years as nurse at the nursing station in Big Trout Lake, night supervisor at the La Verendrye Health Unit as clinical assistant, and finally establishing the provincial Home Care program.
She also worked with Bud to develop the Canadian Voyageur Airlines.
Dede was very involved with the Fun in the Sun Queen pageant for many years, and was named “Mrs. Fort Frances.”
She retired in 1989 and had since helped with the day hospital, Meals on Wheels, the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau, and local seniors’ coalition. She also was a member of the Fort Frances Lions Club, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Order of the Eastern Star, and Rendezvous Yacht Club.
She spent many hours making crafts and teaching others, especially children, to craft. In the last few years, she was very involved in the establishment of “The Church of the Holy Spirit.”
The completion of the Lions Park was one of her dreams.
Her awards included “Mrs. Fort Frances,” Fort Frances’ first “Citizen of the Year,” the Lions Club’s “Melvin Jones Fellow” award, “Lion of the Year,” and others too numerous to list.
She was predeceased by her younger sister, Gladys “Tucky” Polenske.
Dede is survived by three children, Robert, Charleen, and Jennine, and their father, Bud; 11 grandchildren, Robin (Len) Howard and Patricia Mallory, and their mother, Barbara, and Sarah and Jonathan, R.J., and Shawn (Michele), Michael (Sharon), James, Joseph, Cheryse, and Collette; and six great-grandchildren, Griffin, Jordan, Kayla, Donovan, Dominic, and AysaEmma.
She also is survived by her niece, Caren Fagerdahl (Eric) and their children, Erika and David; and nephew, Jay Polenske (Karen) and their children, Savanna and Serena.
She also will be missed by close friends, Leathia Smith and her son, Stephen, and Dennis Lozier; as well as cousins and friends.
Friends may visit with family Friday, Oct. 18, 2002 from 7 until 9 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances. The Order of the Eastern Star will provide their memorial service at 7:30 p.m.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 19, 2002 at 10 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, with Revs. Garth and Diane Clifford and Jane Trivers officiating, followed by a luncheon at the Royal Canadian Legion.
Honourary pallbearers will be all of her grandchildren, and Erika, David, Savanna, and Serena.
Dede—a woman of love, compassion, dedication, forgiveness, and acceptance. She will be greatly missed by her family and a community to which she devoted her life.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to either the Canadian Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 655, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M9, or The Church of the Holy Spirit Building Fund, c/o Cheryle Wolff, 661 Second St. E., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 1N6.