Dora Stotzer

December 23, 1931 – January 22, 2021

In January 2021, our mother, Dora Stotzer, a long-time resident of Seaview Road, passed away peacefully. Her spirit now begins a new journey of freedom and peace. Her magical presence, which brought a smile to everyone she met, will be deeply missed.

Dora’s adventurous spirit showed itself at a young age. She was born and raised in Berlin, Germany. As a teenager, she lived through the war with her older brother and sister. She loved sports, especially hurdling and swimming. Swimming became a lifelong passion. She qualified for the German Olympic swim team but chose not to compete. Instead, she set out for Canada with her architectural drafting certification and a sense of adventure.

She arrived by boat in Ontario. There, she lived and worked and met the man who would become her husband. After two years, they drove west across Canada and settled at Miracle Beach on Vancouver Island. They loved the area, and it became their home for the next 65 years.

For a short time, Dora lived in Ocean Falls. She and her young friends taught themselves how to ski. She often spoke of her happy memories in the remote paper mill town, which had an Olympic-sized swimming pool overlooking the ocean. Her love of swimming never faded. While living at Miracle Beach, she swam in the ocean every day, no matter the season. Even in winter, she braved the cold water without hesitation.

Dora had a deep love of the outdoors. She enjoyed hiking with Ruth Masters and was active in the Comox District Mountaineering Club. She went on canoe trips to the Broken and Octopus Islands, Donna Lake, and many places close to home around the Alders Beach area.

At the age of 59, she took up skate-skiing. She often headed up the mountain to escape the grey rainy days below and find sunshine above. She regularly competed in the “Snow-to-Surf” race. She also enjoyed kayaking and played tennis, table tennis, and volleyball.

Dora had always wanted to visit Asia. At 69, she traveled to Nepal with a group of friends and trekked to the base camp of Mount Everest. She returned home smiling after that great adventure. Soon after, she traveled to Thailand and loved the warmth and sunshine.

She loved classical music and performed in concerts. She played the recorder, flute, and piano. Even in her later years, she kept a harmonica close by. Many will remember her baking. She made a dark rye bread and a much-loved poppy seed cake. The cake recipe has been passed down in the family.

When her children were young, she taught them to play chess and encouraged them to spend time outdoors. As they grew older, she continued to share adventures with them. She cruised on the water with her daughter Karin and son-in-law Gavin. She visited her daughter Monica in Canmore, Alberta, where she hiked and skied in the Rocky Mountains. She also traveled to the prairies to visit her son Rolf, his wife Veronica, and her grandson Blake before they moved back to the valley. Every trip she made was enjoyed to the fullest.

Dora spent her final years at the Comox Valley Seniors Village in Courtenay. She was well cared for and enjoyed the activities and musical entertainment there.

Our mom will be deeply missed. May her energy and spirit forever wander her beloved forest and the surrounding sea—biking, walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, and simply watching. She will live on in our hearts.

We offer a warm thank you to the many local friends and neighbours who kept a watchful eye on our mother during her later years at home on Miracle Beach.

“Who is the one, though finding fault,
Who never seeks to blame?
To whom you go when trouble comes,
Whose love remains the same?
Your mother.”