Inez Dobslaw, neé Knappett

Inez passed away quickly and peacefully in her sleep at her home on Wednesday July 24, 2024, at 93 years old. She was the cherished wife of the late Helmut “Henry” Dobslaw (2010) for over 52 years. Devoted mother of Paul and Robbie (Ruth) and proud grandmother of Alison and Sean. Her final years were spent with love, support, and laughter courtesy of her niece Carolyn “Cookie” Furlanic.

The daughter of James and Estelle (King) Knappett, Inez was the youngest of five and is pre-deceased by her brothers Alf and Rod, and her sisters Leda Wansborough and Lorna Cassini. The beloved Auntie Booj to generations of her nieces and nephews, she embraced and enjoyed her role as the family matriarch. 

Born in 1930 in India, Inez made lifelong friends while attending the Lawrence School, Lovedale. Following repatriation to England in 1947, she began her career as a legal secretary working in London. Her family migrated to Canada throughout the 1950s.

Inez married Helmut, a German immigrant, in 1957. She learned to speak the language, enjoying many trips to Germany, and hosting many relatives in her home at Rosalie in turn.

She was loved and respected by her surviving in-laws Hilde, Leo and his wife Rosi, and was adored as Tante Inez by her nieces and nephews.

A working mother, Inez cared for her children while maintaining her career. She managed a home filled with her husband, two boys, many dogs, and countless other pets. She worked as a Confidential Secretary at De Havilland Aircraft from 1971 until her retirement in 1989. 

Friends from the neighbourhood were always welcome at Rosalie and Inez opened her home to many relatives over the years. She loved to entertain and hosted many at the cottage she and Helmut built on the Moira River. A talented artist, many of Inez’s paintings were inspired by nature and her beloved cottage.

 Inez was an incredibly generous and caring woman. She spent countless hours cooking for her loved ones and enjoyed baking alongside her grandchildren and later her great-great niece and nephew. She also enjoyed eating Indian food made by her nephew Alan Knappett! She always appreciated flowers and lovingly tended to her plants. She even fed many of the neighbourhood’s stray cats over the years!

 An avid knitter and crocheter, Inez continued to create handmade gifts into her 90s. Her paintings can be found in the homes of her loved ones around the world.

 She remained active, attending her great-great nephew’s first birthday less than a month before she passed. She loved nothing more than spending time with her grandchildren and her extended family.

 The family would like to extend their utmost thanks to the Humber River Hospital and its palliative team.

 Visitation will be held at the Ward Funeral Home in Weston on Tuesday, July 30th, 2024, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. The funeral service will take place in the Ward Funeral Home Chapel in Weston on Wednesday, July 31st, 2024, at 3:00 pm, with a reception to follow. 

 Donations in Inez’s memory may be made to the Toronto Humane Society.

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