It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Alexandria (Sally) Umpherson at St. Joseph’s Hospice in the early morning hours of September 5, 2024 at the age of 103. It brings to a close the remarkable life of a remarkable lady.
Sally was born in the East End of Fort William on May 13, 1921. She was the third youngest daughter born to Mikhail Ivanovich Dokuchic and Elena Vasilieva Dokuchic (Lipovitch).
She was the last surviving sibling of her ten brothers and sisters. Sally was predeceased by sisters, Julia Saipe, Olga Ziomek, Ann Zeleny, Vera Noga, and Zenovia Stoyka, and by brothers Aleksy (in infancy), William, Stephen, Nick, and Alexander Dokuchic.
Her father Mikhail emigrated to Canada from the town of Malech (present day Belarus) in 1908. When he had saved enough money for passage for his wife Elena and their two young daughters Julia and Olga, he sent for them to join him in Canada in 1912.
Growing up in the East End, Sally had a typical immigrant upbringing, daily chores to maintain a large family, taking and fetching livestock from the pasture land across the street, tending the large garden which grew much of their food, and tending to the chickens and rabbits which supplemented their food supply. Families were very self-sufficient in the 20s and 30s and the children learned at an early age to be responsible contributors to their way of life. Sally’s resourcefulness and frugality was no doubt nurtured during those trying times. It has been said that Sally’s father, being a carpenter, rebuilt the house several times with the same wooden dowels or nails to accommodate his growing family!
Sally married Charles Eric Umpherson, a young, handsome Navy seaman, from Chapleau, Ontario, in May 1944. During World War Two, Sally was one of the “Rosie Riviters” at Canada Car. After the war ended, Sally and Charlie had two children, Verlie (spouse Peter Breitsprecher) born in 1946 and Kenneth (spouse Susan) born in 1949.
She is also survived by three grandchildren, Kurt Breitsprecher (Joanna Long) and Kellie (Ian) Milani of Thunder Bay, and Kent Breitsprecher (Kaela) of St. Andrews, Manitoba; seven great-grandchildren, Riley and Jackson Breitsprecher, Noelle, Ryder and Bella Milani of Thunder Bay and Knox and Kash Breitsprecher of St. Andrews, Manitoba. She was also very fond of ex-daughter-in-law, Carrie Wiley, with whom she had a great relationship. Sally is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews from the Dokuchic side of the family most notably by Janine Reynolds, Bill Zeleny, Louise Harrett, Dian Gracey, Michael Dokuchic of Windsor, Allan Dokuchic, Peter Noga, Wendy Pilgrim, Ann Louise Baird of Ottawa, Alexander Stoyka.
In her working years, Sally was known as “the Candy lady” while she worked at Kresges on Victoria Ave, where I am told, she often bought candy for the children who stopped by her counter! She faithfully attended Knox United Church for over 50 years and looked forward to singing in the choir with her late sister-in-law Rose Dokuchic. Sally must have inherited a very spiritual legacy from her father, who, I am told, had a deep respect for religious matters. In the early years Charlie and Sally and their children resided at Winston Hall apartments where many memories were made, later moving to Brodie St. and finally in 1964 to West Churchill Dr. in Northwood. Charlie predeceased her in 1996 from congestive heart failure and Sally continued to live independently in her home for the next 28 years, until she entered the hospital to undergo a complete Mastectomy at the age of 103, a mere two months before she passed away. Amazingly she survived the Mastectomy and general anaesthesia as if nothing happened, and after a week in the hospital to monitor her recovery she was discharged and allowed to return home to resume her independence. She remained fiercely independent and scoffed at any mention of moving to a long-term care facility!
Sally didn't have a driver’s license, so she depended on public bus transport to get around the City. There was absolutely no area of the City that Sally could not access through public transport and she knew every transfer point to get anywhere in the south or north wards. She commuted daily, by bus, to visit friends and siblings and to go shopping.
Sally had an incredibly sharp mind and intellect and she amazed us often with her understanding of world events and human conditions. She was very frugal and made do with what she had, never complaining and never wanting anything but the basic necessities for herself! Whenever she thought something was too expensive she would give instructions to cancel the service and she would do without, happily knowing she was not overpaying for a service she found of little value.
Sally’s remarkable life was such a testament to her incredibly kind, loving and generous nature. She never spoke ill of anyone and appreciated anything done for her, by her caregivers, especially Maria from Bayshore, family and friends. She was so grateful to her niece Janine, for spending time every week with her to do puzzles and chat. She appreciated the weekly visits by Gary Peuramaki who looked after some of the weekly maintenance chores and to Ian and grandson Ryder for looking after the yard maintenance. Sally always had to have a stash of $5 and $10 bills handy to reward people for their kindness. She loved to go outside and tend to her flowers and bushes which she did until the last year of her life.
We are all so incredibly blessed to have had such a long, loving and fulfilling relationship with a true matriarch for so many years and find comfort in knowing that Alexandria (Sally) Umpherson Dokuchic was a life well lived and so respected during her 103 years.
There will be a family graveside service for Alexandria (Sally) Umpherson on Friday, September 27, 2024, at 2 PM officiated by Rev Ray Dunn and Eleanor Dunn at Mountain View Cemetery followed by a light luncheon at Connaught Lodge at 321 Frederica St., Thunder Bay.
Donations to any Charity of your choice or the Thunder Bay and District Humane Society.
Condolences my be made through www.nwfainc.com
