Obituaries

Dorothy “Dots” Genevieve Gervais, age 97, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at the Ball Hospice House in Sault Ste. Marie. Dorothy was born in Baie de Wasai, Michigan, to Edmund and Genevieve (McKerchie) Andress, on December 5, 1927.

She was born third in line of seventeen children and received her 8th Grade Diploma from Harding School in 1941. After the birth of her 10th sibling, she and her family moved to Sault Ste. Marie.

On January 10, 1953, Dorothy married her husband Raymond “Ray” Gervais at the Nativity Church in Sault Ste. Marie. Together they created a loving home complete with their eight children: John, Janis, Jonelle, Jerry, Jinny, Joel, Jolynda and Judy, quickly followed by nineteen grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. Dorothy’s home was commonly filled with family, friends, and endless laughter. Her door was always open and a pot of coffee was always on.

Dorothy was a kind, caring woman of faith. Her love of God began in 1928 when she was baptized at the Sacred Heart Church on Sugar Island. She carried her faith into adulthood as a long standing member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church where you could find her every Sunday morning in one of the front row pews often with a daughter or a grandchild in tow.

Dorothy was an honored member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Dorothy along with her siblings, many cousins, and friends were particularly active in the Sault Tribe Elders Program where she not only enjoyed the daily luncheons, bus trips, pow-wows and holiday luncheons, but was also the proud recipient of the Elder Volunteer of the Year Award.

Dorothy’s cherished pastime was creating and sewing exquisite handmade quilts and embroidered pillowcases to share with family and friends, a craft she learned from her mother. Nevertheless, loving, humble, and kind Dorothy had spunk. She was a long-standing hockey fan and could often be found in her corner at the Pullar ringing her cow-bell loud and proud for her sons, sons in law, and grandsons. She loved country music and dancing until the wee hours of the morning. Dorothy also enjoyed playing cards with her family and close friends, often walking away a winner.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Janis Wilson, Jonelle (Harry) Killips, Jerome (Pam) Gervais, Jenevieve (Tim) Gillett, Joel Gervais, Jolynda (Terry Carrick) Brown, and Judy Girard; nineteen grandchildren and their families, Shondra (Eric Maleport) Gervais, Jason (Tracy) Gervais, Brian (Melissa) Wilson, Marcy (Jim) Smith, Patrick (Jackie) Killips, Mindy (Mark) Kavanaugh, Raymond (Britnee) Gillett, Charlie (Christina) Gillett, Brittany (Joel) Feldhake, Alicia P Gervais, Courtney (Adi) Patel, Jerome Gervais, Alicia K Gervais, Alex Young, Scott (Erica) Gervais, Stephanie Gervais, Bailee (Marty Porcaro) Brown, Jordan (Jay) Ware, and Jesse Girard; five siblings, Louie (Judy) Aikens, Ted (Laura) Aikens, Paul (Marybeth) Aikens, May (Slim) Lockhart, and Fauncy (Skee) Sawasky; as well as many nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; son, John Gervais; sons-in-law, Dale Wilson and Kelly Girard; parents, Edmund Andress and Genevieve Aikens; the much loved man who raised her, Wilfred Aikens; and siblings; Loretta (Bill) Smith, Jean (Leonard) Perrault, Leonard (Anita) Hatch, Glen (Helen) Hatch, Leo (Millie) Hatch, Bernard Aikens, Walter Aikens, Merlin Aikens, Grace (Bill) Sauro, Evelyn Berkland, and Viola Thompson.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM on Monday, July 21, 2025 with the Memorial Mass to follow at 11:30 AM at the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 606 E 4th Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, 49783. Fr. Matthew Chartier will be the celebrant for Mass.

Interment will follow at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens. The Gervais family invites friends and family to join them for a commemorative luncheon at the Niigaanagiizhik Ceremonial Building, 11 Ice Circle, Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, 49783 following the cemetery service.

Memorial contributions in Dorothy’s honor may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School, 360 Maple Street, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 606 E 4th Avenue, or the Sault Tribe Elders Program, 2076 Shunk Rd., all in Sault Ste. Marie, M 49783.

Family Life Funeral Homes – Sault Ste. Marie assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.