Dolena (Dolly) Frances Llewellyn, born in Alliston PEI, passed away peacefully in her sleep, at the age of 98 at Yaletown House, Vancouver. Dolly was the youngest child of parents Hiram & Minnie MacKenzie Leeco. She was predeceased by her brother Malcolm (1944 WWII), her partner John (2010), grandson Benjamin (2014), and son-in-law David (2016). She was also the loving wife of the late Irving Llewellyn (1989).
Dolly is survived by and will be lovingly remembered by her two children, Malcolm and Aleta, two nieces and several cousins scattered across our great country.
Dolly was not a stay-at-home Mother. She worked in menswear sales, in Summerside PEI and in Mississauga, ON. She was very competitive, consistently achieving top sales awards and long-time service awards for loyalty and commitment, always giving it her best.
Dolly and her partner John moved from Mississauga ON to Nanaimo in 1990 to enjoy their retirement on the west coast. She took great pride in her home and community. She had the stamp of creativity; no home project was too great or too small. She was also a talented seamstress and loved to create or refashion garments, with her own one-of-a-kind flair. She also loved reupholstering and refinishing furniture. She would often joke about the mileage on her sewing machine. And she will fondly be remembered for her glamourous sense of style; a fashionista to the end!
In her retirement years, Dolly was active in the Nanaimo community, joined a bowling league and was a member of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed volunteering for community events at the Church Hall, particularly her ‘job” wrapping and handing out the cutlery for the community lunches. Forever young at heart, she took up competitive ballroom dancing in her eighties and was awarded bronze and silver diplomas.
She was completely devoted to her partner John, who often quipped that give Dolly a crowbar and wrecking bar, she could move Brooks Landing Mall, to Downtown. Together, they enjoyed several trips over the years, to Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, France, Yukon and Northwest Territories, Eastern Canada, and several trips to their favourite, Hawaii.
When she needed extra care due to age-related challenges, in 2018 Dolly relocated to Yaletown House, Vancouver, to be closer to her daughter. In 2020 when pandemic lockdowns prevented visits in her care home, she displayed characteristic strength of character and resolve and proclaimed “we just have to suck it up”.
Dolly always handled life’s ups and downs with a mix of grace and dignity. She always trusted that her strong faith would see her through whatever challenges she faced. She just kept moving forward, proving time and again that perseverance and a positive outlook are key to resilience. Near the end of her 98 years on the planet, she embraced her inner self, and the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.
Dolly’s family gratefully acknowledges the care, compassion and professionalism provided by the entire team at Yaletown House. You are all so kind and respectful to those who are most vulnerable. We will never forget you. And a heartfelt thanks to the wonderful volunteers and their dogs for making Dolly’s days brighter. She never met a dog she did not like.
Mom, you will live in our hearts forever. We will always send you our love and gratitude.
No service by request. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice. In accordance with her wishes, Mom’s ashes will be placed beside her parents, in Peter’s Road Cemetery, PEI, when it is safe to travel, post pandemic.