Dorothy Helen Webster was born in Galt (now Cambridge), Ontario to George and Mabel (Dennis) Webster, on July 9, 1916. She was the baby sister of 10-year-old Donald, 8-year-old Ruth and 5-year old Margaret.

Marjorie Cranston and Dorothy Webster

In 1918 the flu epidemic struck. Dorothy's mother and maternal grandmother became ill simultaneously, but only her grandmother survived. Dorothy's grandparents, the Dennis', took Dorothy into their home, which was the other half of the double house occupied by her father and siblings. When Dorothy was 5, her father remarried (Helen Richmond). A year later the Websters welcomed a baby sister, Barbara, whose arrival marked the completion of Dorothy's immediate family.

As a child, Dorothy spent many happy holidays visiting at the home of her mother's only sibling, Gertrude, her husband, Bob, and their children Bruce, Jim and Marjorie Cranston.

When Dorothy was 16 she went to live with her married sister, Ruth, her husband, Herb, and their small children Don, Bob and Mabel Hooker. She stayed with them for 5 years, until she married her sweetheart "Bus" Bennett. Bus worked for Stauffer Dobbie, a towel factory. He watched for Dorothy to walk up the hill to high school and whistled at her through the upstairs factory window. After a 4 year courtship, Dorothy and Bus set a wedding date, September 20, 1937, which was a Monday, since that was the only day Bus' parents could come, as their bakery, Bennett's Bread, was closed for the day.

The newlyweds moved to the Oshawa area, since Bus was playing baseball with the Oshawa Generals and had found employment at General Motors. Dorothy and Bus bought their first and only home in 1940 at 324 Pine Ave., Oshawa, where Dorothy resided the rest of her life. There she and Bus raised a daughter and two sons; Lynn, Dennis and Ross.

Dorothy was a full-time homemaker, looking after her young family, baking, sewing, knitting, crocheting and gardening. She was very involved in Home and School, church work and supporting her kids in whatever activities they were involved in. (Daughter-in-law, Laraine, was in Dorothy's Sunday School class.)

In the 1960's Dorothy began to have time to pursue her own own interests and, encouraged by her son-in-law, Dan, started dabbling in oils. Her painting skills kept improving until she and her long-time friend, Helen Proctor, became co-instructors of a painting class at the Y.W.C.A. Many family members and friends have received her paintings, which came to include works in acrylics and watercolours.

After Bus' retirement in 1971, Dorothy and Bus spent eleven winters in West Palm Beach, Florida.

When Bus took sick in 1980, Dorothy was always by his side, caring for him until he died May 24, 1982.

Dorothy took great pleasure in participating in the many family get-togethers over the years and cared deeply for all the family members.

Dorothy enjoyed and was very proud of her seven grandchildren; Martin, Joel, Jason, Oliver, Bradley, Brent and Trudy; and in 1989 and 1993, was thrilled to see the arrival of her two great-grandchildren; Monica and Isaac, children of Martin and Rosemary.

Throughout the years, Dorothy enjoyed her church involvement, serving in many capacities. Just prior to her decline in health, Dorothy regularly attended Sunday worship services, was the leader of her United Church Women's group, was a member of the quilting group and was knitting for the Fall bazaar.

In her later years, Dorothy reserved Friday afternoons to meet over coffee with a group of treasured long-time friends.

Dorothy died September 10, 1993, in her 78th year.