Dorothy Aultman
The life of Dorothy Phyllis (Comba) Aultman came full circle in North Bay, Ontario where she was born on January 17, 1946 and took her last breath on September 1, 2025.
Dorothy was the mischievous little sister of Shirley (Comba) Devine. She delighted her father, James Earl Comba (pre-deceased). Her spirited nature was only a bit of a challenge to her mother Myrtle (Sullivan) Comba (pre-deceased). Dorothy’s energy caught the eye of her future husband, Ronald Gerard Aultman (RGA), at CYO dances in the early 1960s. Ronald and Dorothy have been dancing together ever since: from their wedding in 1967 to some recent Thursday nights at Marina Point. Together with Ronald, Dorothy built the family homestead on a corner lot in North Bay upon their first retirement in 1992. “2400” is the place the family gathered: daughters Lisa (Britt) and Sandra (Jim); grandchildren Nicholas Hall (Katherine), Rachel Pankewich (Frank), Samuel Berube and Cassidy Berube.
Since 2017, Dorothy’s matriarch duties have included the role of great-grandmother to James, Mary Jane, Lena and Wesley who know her affectionately as “Doe-Doe”. In addition to being “Aunt Dorothy” to well over thirty people, she had more brothers- and sisters-in-law than most would dream of - she loved them all: Grant Devine as well as a crew of ten Aultman couples that included some of her best friends.
In 1966, Dorothy graduated from the St. Joseph’s School of Nursing. Her identity as a Registered Nurse (RN) underscored a life of service. From North Bay to Hornepayne to Belleville to London to Burlington and back, she worked as a nurse in hospitals and homes; she advocated and educated for public health; she created and managed programs for cancer patients. Dorothy was a tireless volunteer for her churches and community organizations. She was a quiet advocate for important causes before others even noticed the need. In all these places and endeavours, she met and then maintained great friendships. With some she cruised. With others she spent hours on the phone. Companionship flourished while snowmobiling, bowling, running church events, gathering with the “sandwich-making gang”, volunteering, and doing tai chi.
As a woman of faith, Dorothy was both a Catholic Liturgical and Eucharistic Minister. Despite recent health challenges, including dementia, which were secondary to her 1974 thyroid cancer treatment, Dorothy continued to read at mass until last year.
Dorothy loved many things including baking and travel but truthfully, she loved nothing more than driving. She was confidently “at the wheel” on her earthly adventures, and her family is now certain that she is speeding through the Pearly Gates.
Family will be receiving friends at Hillside Funeral Services, 362 Airport Rd, on Thursday September 4th from 6 until 9 pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St Peter the Apostle Church on Friday September 5th at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers, family and friends may pay tribute to Dorothy with contributions to St. Peter the Apostle’s Building Fund or the North Bay Regional Health Center Foundation.
Online condolences can be made at www.hillsidefuneral.ca
