Obituary of Dorothy Marion Tiedje

TIEDJE, Dorothy Marion (nee Taylor) - Passed away peacefully at her home on March 26, 2018 at the age of 95. Daughter of the late Franklin T. Taylor and Jessica M. (Coupland) Taylor of London Ontario. Beloved wife of 65 years of the late John L. Tiedje. She was a dedicated mother devoted to her family and is sadly missed by her children Tom (Glenna) of Victoria, Jane (Steve) of Halifax and Henry (Dina) of Edmonton, grandchildren Megan, David (Michelle), Eric (Marianne), Brian (Lesley), Ian (Bénédicte) and great-grandchildren Apolline and Mia. She was predeceased by daughter Ellen Butterfield, son-in-law Harry Butterfield and her brother Franklin Taylor. Dorothy graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a BSc in Chemistry and Physics in 1945. She worked at Dow Chemical in Sarnia after graduation and then spent a year at Mt. Holyoke College in Massachusetts as a physics instructor before returning to Sarnia. Dorothy developed a strong interest in botany, and she and John were enthusiastic members of the Field Botanists of Ontario and Lambton Wildlife. They identified and preserved many plant specimens and published a complete inventory of the native vascular plants of Lambton County.  In recognition of her work, she was awarded the 2014 John Goldie Award for significant contributions to field botany in Ontario from the FBO, and the 2016 W. E. Saunders Natural History Award from Ontario Nature “for her major contributions to natural history as a botanist and to the conservation of numerous rare and endangered plants, butterflies, and habitats in Lambton County.” A memorial service will be held  at Central United Church on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 11 a.m. where Dorothy was a longstanding member. Details to be announced. The family thanks the Bayshore Home Health staff, the palliative care team and LHIN for their kind support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bluewater Health, Lambton Wildlife or a charity of choice. Arrangements entrusted to McKenzie & Blundy Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 519-344-3131. Messages of condolence & memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com