Dorothy Gertrude Keane, 91, passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2013 at Central Care Home in Victoria, BC. Dorothy was born on September 7, 1921 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Joseph and Gertrude Bowering. Dorothy grew up in Winnipeg and attended Cecil Rhodes. After high school, she began work in the Book Department of the Hudson’s Bay Company where she worked until she married John in September of 1952. Literature was always a passion for Dorothy and working with books was a very happy time for her. Dorothy married John Timothy Keane in Winnipeg and they were married for 56 years. In 1960, they moved to Edmonton, Alberta where they raised two children, Terry & Gerald. In 1988, following John’s retirement, they moved to Victoria. Dorothy loved reading and undertook a number of personal studies over her life the most significant of which were Russian history, the holocaust and significant readings and writing on the topic of feminism. She loved the arts, especially classical music and took deep pleasure in her music collection. Dorothy was compassionate and made herself personally available to friends and family in distress; she was a loyal and faithful and non-judgmental listener to all. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, John; her sister, Julie; brother, Harry and grandson, Danny. She is survived by her sister, Vera (Vancouver); children, Terry McLean (Victoria), Gerald Keane (Vancouver), Jerry McLean (Victoria), as well as, her two grandchildren, Jordan and Brett McLean and Morris, her beloved dog. She will also be missed by all her extended family.
The family wishes to thank Brenda, Diane, Dr. David Bell and all the amazing staff of the Central Care Home, especially on the 5th floor, who worked so diligently during her stay and particularly in her last days providing comfort and warmth.
A family memorial service will be held in early spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Plan Canada’s Because I Am a Girl initiative (online) http://becauseiamagirl.ca. Condolences may be offered below.
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Diane
Terry and family,
My heart goes out to all of you during this sad time.
I feel very lucky that I got to know Dorothy. So often she made me laugh with her wonderful and quirky sense of humour. I enjoyed my visits with Dorothy a great deal. She loved listening to me play the piano and I was happy to play for her.
I will always remember Dorothy and I will miss her.
Sincerely,
Diane Dumont