Obituary of Dorothy Mabel Hart

HART: The death of Dorothy Mabel Hart of Rivers, Manitoba occurred on Sunday 08 January 2012 at the Minnedosa Personal Care Home. She was 91 years old. She was predeceased by her husband, Jack, in 2007; by brothers, Robert, Harry and Lloyd and sister Florence (Pettapiece). She is survived by sister Ida (Hopkins) of Penticton, and many nieces and nephews. Dorothy was born on 11 March 1920, the fourth in the family of Oliver and Drusilla (Hepburn) Harvey of Daly Municipality. By her late teens she was an accomplished pianist. She attended Normal School and then taught in Erickson, Neepawa and Mentmore districts. Dorothy married Jack Hart on 31 December 1942. Dorothy continued to teach, in Lothair, where her mother had taught, and then in Rivers. In 1945, Jack and Dorothy took over the Harvey family farm which they operated until about 2000. They moved into Rivers in 2005. Dorothy and Jack had no children of their own but there were seventeen nieces and nephews and many young people who spent summers working on the farm. All became an extended family. Dorothy provided many of them with both financial and moral support, as needs arose, with no thought of reward. She was concerned about social justice both in Canada and abroad with involvement in the WI and UCW and Inter Pares. However, Dorothy's greatest pleasure was singing and her involvement with the Brandon Barbershop Belles. She was a founding member and over the past 50 years was both choir leader and President. A Celebration of Dorothy's life will be held at Rivers United Church on Friday, January 13, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Glenna Beauchamp officiating. A special thanks to the staff at the Minnedosa Personal Care Home for their committed care and concern. Donations may be made to Inter Pares, to the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba or to a charity of your choice.