Obituary of Dorothy Alice Northrup

Mrs. Dorothy Northrup (O’Donnell) was born in Berwick on September 5, 1939, and was the daughter of Murray and Beth (Northrup) O’Donnell.

Dorothy was the oldest of 4 children and, according to her, the “least stubborn”.

Dorothy and Robert started dating as teens and after he had moved to Kingston, ON and found a good job, he mailed an engagement ring home to her. She moved to Kingston and they were married on December 26, 1958.  While in Ontario, Dorothy went to school to become a Registered Nurses’ Assistant.  Upon completion of school, she worked in the hospital in Kingston. 

Since Dorothy was a hometown girl and extremely lonesome for her family, she convinced Robert to return to Sussex.  After moving back to Sussex, and eleven years of marriage, Michelle was born.

They lived in Saint John but bought the house on Snider Mountain where they spent their weekends and holidays. When Michelle started school, Dorothy decided it was time to return to her career and work. In 1977, she went to work at the Church of St. John & St. Stephen Nursing Home in Saint John where she stayed until her retirement in 2002.  This was a difficult job, but she did it with ease and was natural at being a nurse.

During her years nursing, she was very involved with the CUPE Union, serving as secretary and treasurer. The “girls” from the Home were all extremely close and spent much time together whether it was travelling to warm Countries, CUPE meetings or supper dates at someone’s house with a themed meal.  You never knew what trouble they would be up to.

Dorothy & Robert later moved to Apohaqui where they shared a home with his mother, Dot.

Dorothy was very pleased when Michelle married Brian and welcomed him into the family.

She always loved his big feeds of food that he would prepare especially for her.  At Christmas time, when Dorothy was on her way to the Island, Brian would always make sure that her big Santa Claus was up on the roof, and all lit up.

Twenty-one years ago, her pride and joy was born when she welcomed her first and only grandchild, Zackery.  They had a very special bond and shared many wonderful memories such as her teaching him how to make strawberry jam or endless hockey games.  She was so proud when he graduated from High school and then excelled in university.   

Dorothy not only loved her family but also had a soft spot for her pets. Simba (the cat) was her constant companion.  He wasn’t always the nicest cat, but she loved him unconditionally.  Her grand-dogs became a big part of her life.  She would put them through all their tricks and loved to sit and brush Molly. 

Dorothy was all about family! She was an amazing Mom, Nannie, Aunt, cousin, and friend.

Dorothy will live on in the hearts of her daughter, Michelle DesRoches and her husband, Brian and grandson, Zackery of Kinkora, PEI; her sisters-in law, Kathy O’Donnell, Karen (Robert) Green, Marjorie (Ben) Corcoran; and her brothers-in-laws, Richard (Toni) Northrup, Nelson (Joan) Keirstead.

Nieces and nephews: Debbie Mason, Ronnie (Tamara) Mason, Wanda (Paul) Chamberlain, Michael Mason, Anthony O’Donnell, Lisa Northrup (Murray), Sheri Northrup (John), Kathy Evans (Peter), Malcolm Green (Carrie), Jared & Keaton Burgoyne, Kathy Keirstead (Randy), Clayton Keirstead (Ellen), Lloyd Keirstead (Gina), Sally Miller (Tommy) , Randy Keirstead (Judy), Tina Vessey (Michael) as well as several great & great great nieces, nephews and Cousins; her aunt, Eunice O’Donnell; and special friends, Steve Jewis and Cindy and Stephen McFarlane.

Dorothy was pre-deceased by her husband, Robert; her parents, Murray and Beth O’Donnell; her sisters, Irene Myers, Marjorie Keirstead, her brother, Ronald O’Donnell, and nephew, Andrew O’Donnell.

Mrs. Dorothy Northrup passed away at the Dr. V. A Snow Centre in Hampton on February 3, 2024.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, NB (506-433-1176) from where a visitation will take place on Friday, February 9, from 2-4 and 6-8pm. A celebration of Dorothy’s life will take place from the St. Francis Xavier Church on Saturday, February 10, at 11:00am.

Donations in memory of Dorothy may be made to the St Phillip’s Cemetery, Sussex Extramural, The Dr. V. A Snow Special Care Home or a charity of the donor’s choice. Personal condolences to the family and donations may be made through wallacefuneralhome.com