Dorothy Wilde lived her life inspired by art. Born June 17, 1919, in Welland, Ontario, Helen Dorothy Hoy grew up determined to be an artist. Creative efforts to supplement the household income (dressmaking, selling crafts door to door) were followed by a stint in a Toronto garment factory. In 1942, she joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (Women’s Division) as a parachute packer. Discharged in 1945 in Montreal, Dorothy remained there, studied fashion design and became active in the Legion, lobbying for equal rights for women veterans. Working as a dress designer, part of her job entailed travelling to New York showrooms as a fashion spy. She studied painting at the Museum of Fine Arts where she met her husband, Jim Wilde.

After the birth of their two children, the Wilde’s moved back to Ontario. A lifetime member (and past president) of the Oakville Art Society, a pottery instructor with the Etobicoke Board of Education and the Burlington Cultural Centre, and an avid printmaker with the Neilson Park Printmakers group, Dorothy pursued various media with passion.

In 2001, Dorothy received an Ontario Volunteer Service Award for over 30 years of dedication to art in Ontario. After Jim died, Dorothy continued to travel and make art, living independently until she was 94. Her final show was held in June at the Sunnybrook Veteran’s Centre, where she passed away on Sept. 30.

Predeceased by her husband James, sister-in-law, Mary, brothers Frank and Jack, and parents Helen and Frank, Dorothy leaves behind her children Eric and Iris, son-in-law, Ian, grandsons, Graeme and Craig, her brothers Bill and Keith (Victor), and sister Bettie, and her many nephews and nieces and their families.