Obituary of Dolly Major (nee Joiner)

It is with great sadness that we announce, Dolores Major (82) formerly of Duncan, BC, passed away on Friday, December 1, 2023, at the Selkirk Seniors Village, Victoria, BC.  Dolores was battling Alzheimer’s and eventually died after a heart attack. She leaves behind a large family, three children, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Dolly was born on July 11, 1941, in Hamilton, Ontario, to Frank & Helen (Hotrum) Joiner. She was the oldest of seven children. Her childhood was filled with hard times, yet she carried precious memories of her siblings and kept in contact with them. In 1963, she married Leslie Major and settled in Ottawa and Limoges, Ontario. They were blessed with three children, Lesley, Sean and Danny. 

Dolly moved around a lot throughout the years, Ontario, Manitoba, Tennessee, and settled in B.C. She had many hobbies including baking, macrame, knitting, and gardening. She was a frequent visitor of her local Legion.  

Her greatest joy was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In every family gathering you would find her in the middle of the little children.  She was the light to our family.  According to Dolly’s nurses, she was also the light of the second floor of the Selkirk Seniors Village.  She always had a quick sense of humor right to the end.

Dolly is survived by her daughter, Lesley Robinson (Mike Robinson), son Sean (Jennifer) Major, son Danny; six grandchildren: Liette Froese (Craig), Genevieve Baker (David Cree), Chanelle Whitton, Samuel Baker (Chihiro Kiwada), Naomi Major and Natavia Robinson; eight great-grandchildren: Jade, Guardian, Ivy, Lucy, Frankie, Arthur, Beatrice and Odin; her loving boyfriend, Keith Laver and his family; her brothers: Bob, Bill (Sue), Jim (Carol Ann), Tom (Leslie); Rick, her brother-in-law, Ron Prescott, and many nieces and nephews. 

Dolly was predeceased by her parents, Frank & Helen Joiner, her sister Kim Prescott, her sisters-in-law Pat Joiner and Jocelyne Joiner and her precious granddaughters, Angèle Baker in 1989 and Anna Major in 2017.

Dolly meant everything to her family. We are all thankful for the time we had with her. Our loss is Heaven’s gain.

A private family service has taken place. If you wish to share memories of Dolly, you can send them via email to lesleyrobinson672@gmail.com. Dolly’s ashes will be placed with her family in Ottawa the summer of 2024 as per her wishes.