Obituary of (Dolly) Jessie Ann GAY

With great sadness we announce the passing of Dolly, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and auntie. She died peacefully with her family at her side.

She will be missed by her daughter Irene (David), sons Robert and Duncan (Deanna), grandchildren Brian (Rikki), Stuart (Shannon), Brandi (Will) and Jessie, 7 great-grand-children, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins, both in Canada and in Scotland.

Dolly was predeceased by an infant daughter, Jane, and by four brothers, in Scotland, who insisted on calling her Dolly.

She moved to Canada in 1953 with her ex-husband and 2 young children. The family made Calgary their home in 1966, but Dolly enjoyed visits to Scotland to see her father and brothers, usually every second year.  

Despite her Scottish heritage, Dolly became an avid fan of the Flames and Stampeders. While watching their games on television, she knitted socks, Aran sweaters, baby blankets, and monogrammed Christmas stockings, for family and friends. She also followed tennis, curling and golf and enjoyed her weekly bingo outing with close friends.

Dolly’s shortbread is legendary; many pounds of butter and sugar were happily devoured by friends and family each Christmas. Great-grandma held a baking tutorial last Christmas, but we didn’t quite achieve the same level of tenderness. Practice makes perfect! The cookies disappeared nonetheless.

A family celebration of Dolly’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to The Lung Association of Alberta, & NWT, PO Box 4500, Station South, Edmonton AB t6E 6K2.

Condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting the website  www.calgarycrematorium.com