Obituaries

Dorothy Arlene Draeger (Nee Corbett)
October 6, 1943 – September 23, 2026

Dorothy was born in Middleton, Nova Scotia to parents Ronald & Dorothy Ernestine (Whitman) and was raised in the town of Port Lorne with her siblings, Ernest and Vesta, on the Bay of Fundy.

After high school, Dorothy left for Halifax to pursue nursing studies. While there she met a sailor, Les, who would become her husband. They liked to tell others they met at the mental hospital and smirk while leaving people wondering.

Naval life led to repeated postings on both coasts. During this time, Dorothy became a mother to her two children, Darryl and Janice. After Les completed his naval time and went on to Air Canada, they spent a few of the early child rearing years in Kitchener and Toronto before settling in Winnipeg, the place to call home for the rest of their lives.

Dorothy made sure to know the names of the adults and children in the neighborhood, making everyone welcome and turning community it into a larger family. As her children grew, Dorothy did some part time work for Manitoba Telephone Systems before joining The Bay at Unicity Mall. Dorothy always maintained the family home to ensure it was a welcoming place for friends to stop by for a coffee and chat while also being a refuge for family who needed a place to sleep and grab a meal before continuing on their journeys.

She is pre-deceased by her parents, her husband, Les; her siblings, Ernest (Evelyn) and Vesta; sister-in-law Sharon; and daughter-in-law Twilla. She is survived by her son, Darryl (Ethelyn); her daughter Janice (Howard); brother-in-law Robert; grandsons Alex and Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews with their spouses and children.

The family would like to especially thank neighbour Irene Peters for her friendship over 40 years and continued compassion and companionship through Dorothy’s final days and beyond.

Per Dorothy’s request, there will be no service and a private interment will happen at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Humane Society.

“All of us are better when we’re loved.” – Alistair MacLeod