Leadbetter, Dorothy Geddis – 91, Oakwood Terrace, Dartmouth formerly of Halifax and Springhill.  It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our mother and grandmother on January 31, 2010.  She left us peacefully on the wing of a prayer at Oakwood.  Dorothy (Dot) was born in Springhill to the late Charles and Stella (Matheson) Merlin.  A widow for many years, she was a devoted mother full of energy and full of life.  She gave her love and time selflessly to her sons and their families abounding in laughter and joy.  One of her fondest memories was of her husband Claude whom she always held close to her heart.

Residing in Halifax, she looked forward to her wonderful summers at Heather’s Beach, an annual sojourn since her early childhood.  She loved her early morning swims, long walks on the beach and found great contentment in the evening sunsets on the deck overlooking the beach.  Dot was a supreme hostess and welcomed all, looking forward to the time spent with family and friends.  She loved music, singing and dancing and was a terrific cook, making her famous oatcakes, carob balls and shortbread cookies for the grandchildren.  Taking great pride in her unparalleled collection of family photos, Nanny Dot was often seen camera in hand.  With a great sense of fashion, she was always at the forefront – dramatic and bright with her yellow and animal prints, and she loved her baubles.   Also an avid skater, her friends at the rink knew her as “Red Dot”.
 
Before retirement, Dot worked many years at The Chronicle Herald as Librarian where she developed some long-lasting friendships.  She was a graduate of St. Charles Commercial College in Amherst.
 
Dorothy is survived by James Leadbetter, son, and Beverly (Harnish) Leadbetter, daughter-in-law of Seaforth, NS; Hugh Leadbetter, son, and Donna (Barteaux) Leadbetter, daughter-in-law, Dartmouth, NS; grandchildren Katherine Leadbetter, wife of Danny Menard, Salluit PQ; Jeff Leadbetter, Montreal PQ; Elizabeth Leadbetter, Troy Pennsylvania; Jason Leadbetter, Halifax NS; Nicholas Leadbetter, Seaforth, NS; sister-in-law Ruth Leadbetter, Springhill NS and sister-in-law Ruth (Brown) Merlin, Amherst NS.  In addition to her parents she was predeceased by her husband Claude Leadbetter; sisters Florence Shearer and Olive Donavon, and brother Carl Merlin.
 
A service of remembrance will be held 2 PM, Wednesday, June 9 in A.H. Brown Funeral Home, Springhill, followed by a reception.  Family will receive friends from 1 PM.   The family expresses heartfelt thanks for the many condolences, and for the contributions to the Alzheimer’s Society.