14-Apr-1924 - 20-Apr-2024
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing at age 100 of Doetje Menard. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Dodie, as she preferred to be called, led a most interesting life. She was born in Rotterdam, Holland but spent her formative years in city of Nijmegen, beside the River Waal and the German border.
During her teenage years Nijmegen was occupied by the German army. Nijmegen was liberated by the Canadian Army in 1944 and this was the beginning of her Canadian story. At the coaxing of her best friend, Dodie went to a dance social organized by the Canadian Army. It was here that she met her future husband, a Canadian soldier by the name of Fred Menard. In Dodie’s own words they “sort of hit it off” right from their first encounter. They met in May and were married in December 1945 just before Fred returned to Canada on a troop ship. Dodie recalls that her wedding gown was made by her neighbour out of parachute silk. She was 21 years old.
Dodie followed Fred to Canada the following August on board the Queen Mary with 2000 other passengers. As far as she could tell, her fellow passengers were mostly English and Dutch war brides. She arrived in Halifax at Pier 21. She fell in love with Canada from the moment she first set foot on its soil. She was grateful to Canada for the role that it played in liberating her home and also being a wonderful place to live and raise a family.
Dodie and Fred first settled in the Province of Quebec. It was here that they started a family with their children Linda (Gord), Mark (Anne), and Erick. Eventually they moved to Toronto where their children grew into adults and raised children of their own. Dodie and Fred were proud grandparents of Lisa, Steve, Lori, and Mike. As time passed, they were blessed with great-grandchildren Jade, Jessie, Cassidy, Brianna, Brian, Sarah, and Ella.
Cremation has occurred. Dodie’s remains will be laid to rest at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Rexdale, a suburb of Toronto, where she will be re-united with her beloved husband, Fred, who passed away in 2008.
Dodie’s family would like to thank the doctors and nurses and all of the staff of Georgian Bay General Hospital for providing such wonderful, compassionate care for her during her final days.
Arrangements entrusted to Penetanguishene – Funeral Home
