It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dorothy Jean Murrell (Olshaski, née Wright) on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at the age of 79 years.
Dorothy was born in Lethbridge on August 11, 1937, and was the eighth child to Agnes & John Wright. The family moved to the Broxburn area in 1946.
Dorothy graduated from McNally School in 1955. She married her high school sweetheart, Bob Olshaski, on October 22, 1955. Together, they had five sons: Bob, Rod, Greg, Ken, and Doug.
Bob and Dorothy enjoyed 31 years together. A trip to Russia for the 1972 Summit Hockey Series between Canada and Russia with some close friends, Ben and Bernice Pavan and Bill and Myrna Tymensen which was a highlight, and we won. The two also enjoyed many wonderful trips with the Old Timer's Hockey Team to many European destinations. A trip from Portugal to Morocco via hydrofoil was interesting, but scary. A train trip from Holland through many cities was fun and memorable as well.
Dorothy was a member of the Catholic Women's League. In 1974, she entered the Nursing Program at the Lethbridge College, and graduated in 1976 with her R.N. - a lifelong dream come true - and began work at St. Michael's and the Coaldale Hospital.
She married Alex Murrell on January 25, 1992, and together they built a new house and enjoyed many happy years travelling to Mesa, Arizona over the winter holidays. Dorothy liked bowling and golf, while she and Alex enjoyed camping with Greg & May and Ken & Millie and their families. They would also partake in watching the grandsons play hockey and soccer.
Dorothy is survived by her husband Alex of 25 years; her sons Bob (Karen), Rod (Michelle), May (Greg, deceased), Ken (Amelia), Doug (Jacquie); her grandchildren Stephen and Matthew Olshaski, Ryan and Darcy Olshaski, Larissa and Sydney Olshaski, Malia and Liam Newman; step-children Craig and Toshimi Murrell and Lynette and Jay Newman; great-grandchildren Colton, Keidon, Kinzey, Camryn, Charlee, Kade and Jaxon Olshaski and Kyla and Tyler Larkin.
Dorothy was predeceased by her husband Bob (1986), son Gregory (2013), daughter-in-law Lynn Olshaski (2006), her parents Agnes & John Wright, brothers David and Johnny and Francie Wright, brothers-in-law Bill Sosick, Harry Chemelli and George Kokayko, sisters Barbara Kokayko and Isabel Chemelli and sister-in-law Betty Wright. Dorothy is survived by her brothers Jim (Julie) and Tom, sisters Agnes Sosick and Diana Pederson and sister-in-law Elaine Wright.
A Prayer Vigil will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME - 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB on Friday, June 9, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. with Maureen Condon-Horon officiating.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH - 2405 12th Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Kevin Tumback, Celebrant.
Following the Funeral Mass, Dorothy will be laid to rest in Mountain View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ALS Society - 7874 10th Street N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 8W; the Heart and Stroke Foundation - #200, 119 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 8W1; or the Canadian Cancer Society - #200, 325 Manning Road N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5.
The family would like to thank Dr. Ireland, Dr. Bailey, the nurses and staff of 4B at the Chinook Regional Hospital, and the palliative doctors and nurses at St. Michael's Palliative Care Unit.
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