Donna Simpson was born in 1933 to farmers John Robert and Annie May (Johnston) Simpson of Oil City. Her parents were married in Enniskillen Township in 1922. She had three siblings – Marion, Verna and Murray.
In 1956, Donna married farmer William (Bill) Dobbin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ollie Dobbin, of Petrolia. They were married at the home of John and Annie in Oil City.
Donna had an active presence in local community music initiatives, including, but not limited to, serving as school music teacher and supervisor.
Donna passed at the age of 70 in May of 2004 and is buried at Hillsdale Cemetery.
Donna Dobbin contributed her recipe to the Oil City United Church Cook Book, compiled by the Oil City United Church Sunday School as part of their 100th Anniversary celebration in 1980-81. The Oil City United Church was formed in 1925. Its roots can be found in the union of congregations from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (Oil City) and Methodist Church. The church held its closing service on October 17th, 2010.
This recipe book can be found at the Lambton County Archives!
Mother's Chili Sauce (p.66)
- 1 peck of ripe tomatoes
- 8 large onions
- ½ cup salt
- Peel and chop above, add salt and leave overnight. Drain.
- Add:
- 3 cups vinegar
- 3 teaspoons whole pickling spice (tied in bag).
- Boil 1 hour and then add:
- 4 pounds sugar (2 cups = 1 pound)
- 1 teaspoon celery seed. (Note: I use an 11 quart basket of tomatoes and put in an extra cup of vinegar and a little extra sugar.)
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