Eleanor Dickey Obituary

DICKEY
The family of Eleanor Dolores (Del) Dickey, nee Bruner, is saddened to announce her passing on November 9, 2023 at Pioneer Ridge.

Dolores was born in Algonac, Michigan on November 22, 1929 and moved to Leamington, Ontario at the age of three months. She is predeceased by her parents (Golden Wellington and Sara Madeline Bruner, nee McKenzie) and her brother (Ronald Bruner).

Dolores grew up in Leamington. She studied music with her Great Aunt Margaret McKenzie and theory with Great Aunt Alwilda McKenzie. She completed Royal Conservatory Grade X Piano and Grade III Theory in 1946.

Dolores graduated from Leamington High School in 1947 and earned her Honours BA degree from University of Toronto in 1951.

Dolores met Donald Keith Dickey at the University of Toronto. They were married in Leamington on June 30, 1951 and moved to London, Ontario. Donald started his engineering career at General Motors Diesel and Dolores worked at the University of Western Ontario biochemistry department from 1951 to 1953.

Don passed away suddenly in 1984.

Dolores is survived by her two sons Michael Dickey (Rita Edwards), Patrick Dickey (Kim Sjolund) and numerous grandchildren.

Dolores was a supply teacher of Home Economics in both London and Thunder Bay. She also taught dressmaking at secondary school night classes in London. In 1962 she wrote and broadcast a radio series called Consumer's Corner on London radio station CKSL. After living in London, Ontario and Washington D.C. the family moved to Fort William (now part of Thunder Bay) in 1965. Dolores graduated from Thunder Bay Teacher's College in 1967. She taught at Franklin School from 1968 to 1976.

Exactly 30 years after leaving her music, Dolores resumed piano lessons with Sister Imaculata at Avila Music School in Thunder Bay. During a lesson, the sounds of a series of Augmented 6th chords in a Christmas carol excited her curiosity about theory. She completed her Associate (piano) with Western Ontario Conservatory in 1980.

Dolores was the first grandmother to complete an Associate at Avila Music School. She taught piano and music theory from 1976 to 2003. In 1983 she authored a radio series about women composers broadcast on CBC in Thunder Bay. As a Thunder Bay Symphony volunteer, she developed a fundraising campaign called "Cherish the Music". She also sponsored the Sara Madeline Bruner Memorial awards to celebrate her Mother's interest in music and language and to promote the importance of local symphony musicians. Through her fine examples of teaching and public service, Dolores has inspired countless teachers and students to enhance their daily lives by seeking out fine music.

A vital part of her life was volunteer work:

- 1951-54 Canadian Home Economics Association;

- 1953-64 Consumers' Association of Canada;

- 1960 and ongoing: member and volunteer with a Unitarian congregation;

- 1979 and ongoing: member of the Unitarian Service Committee Canada;

- 1981 and ongoing: Dying with Dignity Canada;

- 1980-84 and 1986-90 Memorial Society of Thunder Bay, Board member and President;

- 1987 and ongoing: Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra Volunteer Association; and

- 1990-94 Board Member Co-operative Memorial and Removal Service Inc. (now the Northwest Funeral Alternative).

Dolores also enjoyed reading, sewing, knitting, playing bridge, scrabble, crosswords and other puzzles.

Dolores's family wishes to thank all those who cared for her including the kind and supportive staff at Pioneer Ridge and Glacier Ridge.

A Memorial Open House will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, 2-5pm, at the Italian Cultural Centre in Thunder Bay.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dolores's memory to the Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship, Thunder Bay Symphony Association, Thunder Bay Public Library or any Charity of Your Choice would be gratefully appreciated.

Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com