Dorothy Orban

1942 - 2026

It is with great sadness that the family of Dorothy Louise Orban (née Snell), announce her passing in Taber on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at the age of 84 years.

Dorothy was born in Taber in 1942, to Pat (née Hamman) and Fred Snell. She was raised in a large family alongside her siblings Donald (Laurie) Snell, Susan (Richard) Markus Snell, David (Jan) Snell, Tom (Nola) Snell, Jerry (Vicky) Snell, Eleanor (Shawn) Braun-Haley, Dick (Pam) Snell and Joan (Stan) Hunt. She was predeceased by her parents Fred and Pat and her siblings David and Joan.

Dorothy married her high school sweetheart Joe Orban Jr. and together they shared sixty nine years of marriage and built a wonderful life and loving family. She was the proud mother of four sons Jerry, Chris (Val), Scott (Shelly) and Todd. She was predeceased by Jerry, Chris and Todd.

Dorothy will be lovingly remembered by her husband Joe; her daughter-in-law Valerie Orban of Lethbridge and Chris and Valerie's children Brance (Nikki), Tayler (Mark) Weitz, Chortney and Dorothy’s great grandchildren, Duna and Zala; her son Scott and Shelly Orban of Calgary and their children Blake, Sarah (Nick) and James.

Dorothy was a trailblazer, a gifted saleswoman and an important part of her community. During the 1970s, she became Alberta's first female car salesperson and earned widespread recognition for her exceptional sales abilities. At a time when automobile sales was largely a male dominated profession, Dorothy succeeded through determination, confidence, warmth and her natural ability to connect with people. Alongside Joe,

Dorothy helped establish and operate JCST Sports in Taber. Throughout their life together, she supported him in his many sporting and community endeavours, just as he proudly supported her ambitions and accomplishments. Dorothy was often the rock behind the scenes, but she was also a community leader and accomplished businesswoman in her own right.

Dorothy's talents extended well beyond the automobile industry. She sold Avon and later continued her successful sales career with Mary Kay Cosmetics. Many people fondly remember seeing her driving around town in the pink Cadillac she earned as a sales award. In later years, Dorothy sold Watkins products and enjoyed staying connected with her customers by telephone. When she could no longer make deliveries herself, she warmly welcomed people into her home to collect their orders.

Dorothy also helped with the operation of Jerry's Pro Shop and the Taber Golf Club and enjoyed playing golf herself. She loved spending time with her sorority sisters and participating in the Red Hatters and Crown Jewels groups. Friendship and fellowship brought her great joy and she made every effort to attend social gatherings around town, even when mobility made doing so difficult.

Her family's sports and activities were always important to Dorothy, but nothing meant more to her than spending time with the people she loved. Visits with family and friends were among her greatest pleasures.

Dorothy will be remembered as fashionable and always beautifully put together. She was welcoming and gracious, greeting people with an outstretched hand and a loving squeeze. Wherever she went, she offered a smile and made a point of acknowledging those around her. She had a remarkable gift for making people feel seen and appreciated.

Dorothy's warmth, determination, style and pioneering spirit leave a lasting legacy. She will be profoundly missed by her family and friends and by the countless people throughout the community who enjoyed seeing her smiling face.

Relatives and friends were invited to Prayers at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Monday, August 17, 2026 at 7:00 P.M.

The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Augustine's Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden. 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Dorothy’s name may be made directly to a local sports organization or to a charity of the donor's choice.