Obituary of Dora Marie Bechard

Bechard, Dora Marie (nee Antaya)

Dora Marie Bechard (nee Antaya) died peacefully with her family at her side on November 12, 2019 in her 91st year at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. She was born in the former Dover Township, the daughter of the late William (Sam) & Valerie (nee Bechard) Antaya. Survived by her devoted husband and friend Ivan. 

Loving mother to Michael (Christina), Lee Ann (Bill) Sparks, and Shelley Bechard-Kloostra. 

Nanny to Shannon, Shawn, David, Caitlin, Emilee, Valerie, Kyle, Tiffany, Leila, Logan and Deaton.

Fondly remembered by numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Predeceased by son-in-law, Paul Kloostra (2014) as well as her 3 sisters and their spouses - Rita (Romeo) Souligny, Gladys (Hubert) Carron and Dorothy (Gerald) Pinsonneault. 

Dora met the love of her life on a blind date and that "swell guy" became her best friend and rock for seventy plus years. (Her only complaint at the time was that he spent too much money on all his fancy ties!). She was good-natured and quiet like her Dad, and always took advantage of an empty rocking chair to sit and enjoy her company or look over the weekly flyers. Her easy-going nature made her the brunt of poking and teasing, but she always took it with a grin and could silence her teasers with her accurately pointed index finger. She loved to read and had a passion for cooking new recipes, always using her sous chefs to help create them, and always making room for anything chocolate. She enjoyed playing euchre and was a sharp but cautious card player, always opting to "lay in the bush" rather than declare trump. Dora loved her flower garden and not a season went by that she didn't have her table adorned with fresh colours - every colour, but never purple - her least favourite. 

Dora's spirit has not left us as she has left pieces of herself with her family. Cherish the memories you have of her and honour her by loving deeply as she did. 

"A heart is not judged by how much you love; but how much you are loved by others" - the Wizard of Oz

Special thanks to the nurses and staff on 3rd & 4th Floor at CKHA for their care and compassion. Adoration and gratitude to our angels, Dr. Moazzam and Kerri Wood for their unwavering attention and support. 

The family to receive friends on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham from 2:00 - 4:00 pm & 7:00 - 9:00 pm. 

A Funeral Mass to take place on Friday at 10:00 am at St. Agnes Parish, 52 Croydon Street, Chatham. We appreciate and are grateful to Fr. Daniel Bombardier, family friend, for celebrating this Mass. Interment to follow in St. Anthony's Cemetery, Chatham. 

Friends planning an expression of remembrance are asked to consider a charity of their choice in Dora's name.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com. 

McKinlay Funeral Home
459 St. Clair Street
Chatham
519 351 2040