TULMAN, Dorothea “Dot” Ottillie

May 1, 1924 — April 18, 2017

Dot was born in Edenwald, Saskatchewan to parents Adolph and Martha Milner on May 1, 1924 and grew up on a dairy farm with brothers Berthold, Lawrence, John and sisters Theodosia (her twin), Geraldine, Eleanor and Winnifred. The family moved to Regina SK and eventually Swan River MB where her father became the pastor of the Baptist Church. It was there she met her future husband Reynold “Ray” Tulman. They married in April 1947 and moved to Winnipeg where they had three children: Terry, Curtis and Valerie. They moved to Dauphin MB in 1960 and then to Williams Lake BC in 1964 where Ray became a heavy-duty mechanic and Dot began a career in the BC Provincial court system as a court reporter.

They bought a beautiful property overlooking Little White Lake near Salmon Arm BC and moved there in 1975 to spend their last working years and their retirement close to their oldest son, Terry, who was special needs and lived in a group home in Salmon Arm. Ray passed away in 1992 and Dot continued to live at Little White Lake until 2004 when she moved to Kelowna to be closer to her grandchildren. She spent the last few years of her life in retirement homes in Kelowna and died peacefully in the early hours of April 18, 2017 at the fine age of 92 with her daughter Valerie in attendance at her bedside.

Dot was the most amazing cook and hostess. She had an exceedingly warm and genuine personality; anyone who visited her was made to feel perfectly at home. Her baked chicken, beef roasts, pies, cakes, cookies and Christmas baked goods were among the best in the world. She was a mother who sacrificed much for her children and she absolutely doted over her grandchildren. She was a natural at music, taught herself to play piano and had the most beautiful singing voice. It was said she had the opportunity to turn professional, but instead chose to marry and raise a family – which she totally excelled at and never regretted the choice.

Dot loved nature, hummingbirds, wild flowers, chocolate, black coffee, banana cream pie, angel food cake and had a deep faith in God which carried her through the trying times of life such as the loss of a husband (Ray), a son (Terry) and a grandson (Lukas). She is survived by her brother Lawrence, sisters Theo, Ellie and Winnie, son Curtis (Leslie), daughter Valerie (Ken) and grandchildren Jesse and Alanna.

Dot will be missed and lovingly remembered by a host of family and friends. Special thanks to the caring staff at Village at Mill Creek Baptist Housing. A memorial and reception will be held at 2:00pm Sunday, May 7 in the Fireside Room at Willow Park Church, 439 Hwy 33, Kelowna, BC.  If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”