Obituary of Dorothy Annette MacDonnell

April 11, 1938 – Glace Bay, Nova Scotia

October 4, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Dorothy Annette MacDonnell (nee Roberts) passed away after a short illness on October 4th 2023, at the age of 85.

Dorothy was born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia on April 11th, 1938. After graduating Glace Bay High school, she went on to work as a teacher and married Robert MacDonnell. Dorothy lived an adventurous life of travel; moving first to Saudi Arabia with her husband (and by then, two sons), and then following her divorce, heading to Phoenix, Arizona to achieve her MBA. After graduation she worked for the Dean of the business school. After Phoenix came London, where she lived with longtime partner Steven Hayklan, followed by Vancouver and finally settling in Calgary.

Dorothy was an active member of the community, volunteering with Meals on Wheels, the Military Family Resource Centre, and lending her organisational skills to political campaigns every time the writ dropped. Dorothy was an avid sports fan, coaching hockey in Nova Scotia, and never missing a Flames or Bruins game on the TV or radio. She organized weekly bridge clubs, chauffeured friends to appointments, stayed in touch with everybody via text, email and Facebook, and still somehow always found time for her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents James and Barbara Roberts and her partner Steven Hayklan. She is survived by her two sons, David and Bruce (Heather) MacDonnell, her sister Wendy Podborski, two grandchildren Emily (Morgan) Sorochan and James MacDonnell, and an expanse of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and loved ones.

Her family would like to thank the ICU staff of the South Health Campus for their exceptional, devoted, and compassionate care.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to A.A.R.C.S. – Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society, 5060 – 74th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 3C9, Telephone: (403) 250-7377, www.aarcs.ca/donate or to Meals on Wheels, 5759 80 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2C 4S6, Telephone: (403) 243-2834, https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/24700?v2=true.

Memorial Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Dorothy’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Dorothy MacDonnell, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.

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