Dorothy McKenna

Dorothy Irene McKenna (née Whitty) passed away peacefully in her sleep April 22, 2016, at The View seniors home in Lethbridge, Alta. She was 70 years old. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Ian, daughter Deirdre (Jon), two sons, Brian (Anika), and Niall (Megan); also, four grandchildren, Isobel, Angus, Amy and Olivia; as well as a fifth grandchild due in June. She is also survived by two sisters, Kathy and Linda, a sister-in-law, Fiona (Gelt), and a step-sister, Judi, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins in Ontario, Scotland, Ireland and England. Dorothy was born in 1945 at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, Ont., to Reginald Whitty and Isabel Allward. She graduated high school in 1964 as an Ontario Scholar, then studied French at Glendon College of York University. She was fond of dormitory life and singing with the accomplished York University Choir. Dorothy graduated York in 1968 with a BA in French then obtained her teaching certificate. In 1977, Ian and Dorothy moved with their children to Ian’s hometown of Dundee, Scotland, where Dorothy began teaching and raising her family. After eight years in the UK, the family moved across the “pond” again, settling in Lethbridge. Dorothy continued teaching, including several years at the University of Lethbridge. She applied her concern and passion for women’s equality as executive director of the Womanspace Resource Centre for almost two decades. She was a well-respected advocate on gender issues in Southern Alberta. Dorothy launched several projects with Womanspace, tackling issues such as poverty and financial literacy. She volunteered for numerous community causes and on several boards, including Public Interest Alberta and the South West Alberta Coalition on Poverty. She received several awards for her work, including the YWCA Women of Distinction (2003), the Alberta Centennial Medal (2005) and a Public Interest Alberta Award (2010). Dorothy exemplified care and concern for others in all she did, and this was especially true in her complete devotion to family and friends. She will be dearly missed. The family asks for tributes to Dorothy to be made in the form of social activism. That is what Dorothy would wish. Funeral to be held Friday, April 29, 2016, at 11 a.m., McKillop United Church, 2329 - 15 Ave South, Lethbridge. Arrangements in care of Martin Brothers Funeral Homes.