Obituary of Dolores Wilmshurst
It is with grieving hearts we announce the passing of Dolores M. (Eavis) Wilmshurst of Grand Desert, N.S., at the age of 82 in the Dartmouth General Hospital on May 14, 2024.
Dolores is survived by her husband (separated) Frederick Wilmshurst, daughters Deanna Wilmshurst (Niels), and Alina Gavel (Ben), grandchildren Madelyn Nielsen, Oliver Gavel, Abbey Gavel and Summer Nielsen, and brother Boyd Eavis. Dolores was predeceased by her mother, Mary Eavis, father Leslie Eavis, and brother Kenneth Eavis.
Trained as a nurse, Dolores earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master’s in Education, which led her to work as a hospital nurse in Nova Scotia and as a pediatric nursing instructor for many years. Dolores also spent many years working as a nurse on isolated Indigenous reserves in Northern Canada, where she was often the sole medical provider.
In addition to her passion for helping others, Dolores had a love of nature and the outdoors, and possessed a wealth of information about the natural world. She became a seasoned sailor, an expert volunteer and training officer for the Waverley Ground-Search-and-Rescue Team, and an international volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in seven different countries. Dolores was an avid traveler who visited 75 countries during her life, and relentlessly pursued UNESCO World Heritage sites. Dolores also spent three special years in Japan with her grandchildren, climbing Mount Fuji, and developing a love of the Japanese culture.
Fiercely independent, there wasn’t much that Dolores couldn’t do when she put her mind to it. Beginning in 2020, she joined the Great Cycle Challenge at the age of 78. Over the past four years she cycled a total of nearly 2500 kilometers, and raised over $11,000 for children suffering with cancer.
Dolores also refinished her home and turned it into a successful Airbnb where she proudly earned the title of “Super host.” For the last 10 years of her life, you couldn’t find Dolores without her loving and loyal dog, Angel, at her side.
A celebration of Dolores' life will take place on Saturday, June 8 at 14:00. The service will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 46 Cumberland Drive in Cole Harbour. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Hope for Wildlife in Dolores’ name.
There will be a live streaming during Dolore's service and can be accessed by clicking HERE
