Dorothy Bainbridge

As family and friends will surely agree, Dorothy Bainbridge understood the secret to living each day to the very fullest. She was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times, and she faced challenges with a spirit of fierce determination and perseverance. Nothing brought Dorothy greater joy than surrounding herself with her loved ones. Her primary focus in life was building deep relationships with those around her, and she was dedicated to serving her community with a selfless heart. Forever loved, Dot will be dearly missed by those who knew her best.

The late 1930s were among some of the darkest years in history. Many nations were struggling under the weight of the Great Depression, and tensions surrounding WWII were quickly reaching a boiling point. During this tumultuous time, however, there was a ray of light for Fred Rowland and Esther (Barkman) Wagstaffe of Stoke-on-Trent, England, as they eagerly awaited the arrival of their baby. On May 28, 1937, they welcomed their daughter, Dorothy, into the world.

Growing up, Dot was a typical girl of her generation in many ways. She was raised in the family home in England alongside her siblings, Thora, Hilda, and Diana. WWII was raging around the globe, so blackouts, rationing, and even nearby bombings became a part of Dot’s childhood. Her father, Rowland, worked for the government while her mother, Esther, was a homemaker. Dorothy attended local schools and completed high school. She went on to graduate from nursing school at Manchester Royal Infirmary. Like many in her generation in the 1960s, Dot then took a brave step by immigrating to Canada, where she settled down and began her nursing career in Montreal.

Dorothy joined a hiking club with her sister Hilda. It was in this club where she met the man who would soon become her husband, Jack Bainbridge. He had also immigrated to Canada from Glasgow a short time before they first met. He worked as a scale technician. Dorothy and Jack quickly fell in love, and their relationship blossomed into something truly special. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, the two were married in an intimate ceremony on July 17, 1965. Eventually, Jack’s job led them to Detroit and later to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where they were able raise their children together.

Of all the things Dorothy loved in life, she treasured her family above all else. She and Jack were overjoyed to welcome their three sons, Joseph, David, and Alan, into their hearts and home. Dot thrived in her role as a mother, and she devoted herself to raising her boys. She was often easy-going, and she instilled in her children a love for history, geography, and other cultures. The Bainbridge family took many trips to visit Canada and Britain over the years. They also enjoyed renting lake cabins in northern Michigan and staying at her cousin’s house in Vermont. Later in life, Dot was thrilled to become a grandmother to her four grandchildren. She doted on her grandchildren whenever she could and loved taking them to free concerts or out for ice cream. She kept in touch with family near and far with frequent letters including newspaper clippings, photos, drawings, and paper dolls. Dorothy always considered herself blessed to watch her family grow to include so many loved ones.

Dot spent a short time working at Bronson Hospital before she became a full-time mother. However, her service to others was not limited to her career, and she could often be found volunteering in her community. Dot volunteered with Meals on Wheels for 30 years. She loved caring for children, and she worked at Learning Village as well as running her own home daycare.

Never one to sit still for long, Dorothy pursued many hobbies to stay busy in her free time. She was a social butterfly and loved having lunches and afternoon tea with her family and friends. Dot enjoyed seeing plays, musicals, and shows. She liked to listen to her showtunes, and her favorites included Rogers & Hammerstein and Gilbert & Sullivan. She was very fond of public radio and often had it on all day long, if only in the background. She enjoyed reading about history and playing games, especially Scrabble. Dorothy was known for her sense of humor and her love for 3 Musketeers candy bars. She opened her arms to anyone and everyone, and she was happiest when those around her were happy as well.

When reflecting on the life of Dorothy Bainbridge, it is easy to see both her unwavering strength and her unconditional love for her family. She was always willing to go above and beyond to serve those around her. A dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, Dot was a friend to many and beloved by all she met. Her selfless heart allowed her to impact the lives of countless others, and she never took a single moment for granted. Though she will be deeply missed, Dorothy leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

Dorothy Bainbridge of Kalamazoo, age 87, died on December 20, 2024. Dorothy was born May 28, 1937 in Stoke-on-Trent, England to Rowland and Esther (Barkman) Wagstaffe. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jack, and half-brother, David Bell. Children: Joseph (Janet) Bainbridge, David (Linden) Bainbridge, and Alan (Heather) Bainbridge; grandchildren: Kenny, Ryan, Simon, and Wren; and siblings: Thora Wagstaffe, Hilda Wagstaffe, Diana (Martin) Mitchell.

Please join us at a Life Story Service on Saturday, January 11 at 11 AM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A reception will follow in the Life Story center where food, drink, and stories can be shared. Celebrate Dorothy’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood, Michigan Public Radio, and Kalamazoo Nature Center.