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DOROTHY RUTLEDGE
Date of Passing: Nov 30, 2023
Offer Condolences or Memory Make a donation to Winnipeg Humane Society
DOROTHY RUTLEDGE
It’s with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Dorothy Louise Rutledge, age 69, at her home November 30, 2023.
She was predeceased by her parents, Edgar and Phyllis; as well as aunts and uncles, Fred and Rita Robertson, Kay and Doug Bradley, and Earl and Gwen Brooks. She will be greatly missed by her brother Bob (Gina); cousins, Sandra (Frank), Sophie (Gisele), and Donald; several nieces and nephews; very special friends, Charlotte and Neill, as well as their family, Chris, Rob, Lauren (Jon), godson Evan and his son Jacob.
Dorothy grew up in Winnipeg, attending University of Manitoba where she received her Bachelor of Science and Nursing. She went on to obtain a Master's degree in Nursing at Madison University and became a pediatric nurse practitioner. She continued with her studies and later received a Master's degree in Divinity and CAPE certification for counselling.
Her nursing duties took her to many northern communities including Churchill, Pelican Narrows, Dawson City, and Rankin Inlet. She was known to be caring and giving to clients especially Indigenous people and the elderly. It was up north where she got her first rescue dog Asta who she would take on travels on the roads in her pickup while performing her practitioner duties. She went on over the years to adopt other dogs, Brandy, Skip, and recently Finn, who misses her very much. Dorothy retired from her position with the WHRA in 2021 but assisted with contract tracing for COVID.
Dorothy had many different interests including love of music and was able to play different instruments including the piano, harp, and bagpipes. She enjoyed crafting, rug hooking, knitting, quilting, crocheting, and making jewelry. She would make doggie mats for the Humane Society. She was active with her dogs ensuring they were properly trained and was enjoying working with Finn to learn sheep herding, barn hunting activities and flyball. One of Dorothy’s favourite places was at the Johnson’s cabin where she could walk and play with Finn on the beach.
Those that knew her well found Dorothy had a generous heart and took care of family and friends especially at the most challenging times of their lives. Christmas was a special time for her and one of her traditions was sharing her homemade fruit cake.
Celebration of Life to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society or Spinal Cord research.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 16, 2023, Dec 16, 2023
Condolences & Memories (3 entries)
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I first met Dorothy over 50 years ago through swimming when she was still in St. Mary's Academy. We swam together many times, especially in her years in Science. Swimming continued to be a part of her life, as she worked as a guard, instructor and supervisor at the U of M pool while in university. She also swam with the Bisons for a few years. While an Asst. Professor of Nursing at Lakehead University in the mid 80's, she joined the Thunder Rays Masters Swim Club. She competed in swimming at the first World Masters Games in Toronto in 1985. In the late 80's, she was a member of the MidCan Masters Swim Club in Winnipeg. We had many good times together over a few years while she was in university. Some of the moments we had were surprising, as when she seemed to have suddenly bulked up but was wearing a body cast to ease the pain of her scoliosis; sad, when she struggled to say over the phone that her doggie had died; cultural, when we had season tickets to MTC; funny, when she brought a thermos of hot chocolate to a Bomber game on a warm September afternoon; and mischievous, when she dumped water over the front of my bathing suit as I was sunbathing at the U of M pool, telling me to cool down. I remember fondly our many long conversations at the pool, over a drink or in my car. In her final year in Nursing after she returned from Churchill, we went our separate ways. In addition to the memories of our times together, there has always been a place in my heart for Dorothy. Looking at Dorothy's life story I see an impressive set of academic credentials. More importantly, I see an amazing life spent caring for others, while she made herself the best person she could be. We saw Harry Chapin in concert and if I may paraphrase him, we both seemed to have gotten what we asked for, such a long, long time ago. Dorothy, you were too young for your life path to have ended so soon. My deepest sympathies go out to Bob, Gina and their family for the loss of a sister and aunt, and to Charlotte, Neill, and their family, for the loss of a good friend. - Posted by: Roy Eldridge (Former friend) on: Oct 22, 2024
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Dorothy and I enjoyed our time at dog events including herding and barn hunt, her close bond with Finn was a wonderful thing to witness. We’d sit back and laugh at our inability to communicate with our dogs. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and I will really miss her. Rest in peace, Dorothy. - Posted by: Linda Glowacki (Friend) on: Jan 04, 2024
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I just recently found out about Dorothy’s passing. I worked with Dorthy quite a few years ago at FNIHB. Dorothy was a wonderful, smart, straight-shooting and supportive coworker. I was always in awe of her that she played the bagpipes, and I admired her no-no sense approach to any issue, big or small. She lived a full and interesting life, (cut too short) and I am grateful for having known her. My most sincere condolences go out to Dorothy’s loved ones for your loss, Dorothy’s Friend, Laurie - Posted by: Laurie (Previous coworker) on: Dec 27, 2023
