Obituary of Dora Belle Armstrong

Dora Belle (Hess) Armstrong was born on the family farm at Ratner, SK, in August 1928 to parents Frank & Lucille (Schuler) Hess. She passed away peacefully on January 11, 2020 with close family by her side, at NewMarket Manor, Tisdale, SK, where she had lived for the last 2 years and 4 months of her life. Dora was raised in the Ratner District and took her schooling at Sandhill Creek School. Mom met the love of her life (our Dad), John Armstrong at a dance in Franko Hall near Gronlid, SK in 1945. They were married May 4, 1947 at Star City, SK. To this union 7 children were born. Our mother enjoyed gardening, baking, canning, cooking, knitting, mending, picking blueberries with family and friends, playing cards & marbles, volunteering at school evens, Boy Scouts and Air Cadets. She was a member of Ridgedale & Tisdale United Church and active in U.C.W, always willing to help when she could. As well as being a busy wife and mother of 7, she also took the home care course and worked for many years in Tisdale, SK. Over the years, mom enjoyed watching almost every sport on TV with our Dad & the boys. She really loved listening & dancing to old time music. For the past 30 years, she was especially proud of her “favorite” son-in-law Wallace, when she heard him play his fiddle. Mom found it very hard when our Dad died in 2000, however with our brother James living & caring for her, she carried on. The rest of us siblings want to thank him for all the love & dedication over the past 20 years. The death of her grandson Robert Martyniuk in 2008 was extremely devastating for her, as she helped raise him when I, Annabelle, had to work. I could not have had a better care giver. Mom was always fun to be with. She loved all her family, friends & neighbors and was concerned for everyone’s well-being. Especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She enjoyed all their visits over the years from family and friends. Mom also had a sassy sense of humor and a very gentle, yet mischievous smile. Dora is predeceased by her parents: Frank & Lucille Hess; her husband: John Armstrong; her grandson: Robert Martyniuk; and her half brother: Vernon Olson; many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews & dear friends. She is survived by her children: Annabelle (Wallace) Hanson, Frank, Glenn (Loretta), Larry (Barb), James, Terry (Meaghan), Dale (Valerie); 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; sister: Marie (Ed Barrows); her half-brother Eddy Pearson; brother-in-law Alex Armstrong; sister-in-law Jenine Olson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Dora will be sadly missed & fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her. A private family service will be held at a later date.