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DOROTHY SEDGWICK Obituary

(nee Taylor) (November 24, 1927 - June 17, 2025) The only child of Grant Edward Taylor and Anne Louise (Graham) Taylor, Dorothy grew up in Toronto, where she attended St. Clement's School. After graduation, she enrolled in University College at the University of Toronto and was awarded a B.A. (Hons.) degree following four years of studying philosophy. After graduating, she married Charles McDonald "Don" Sedgwick. They built a house north of suburban York Mills, where they lived with their children for many years. Dorothy was the loving mother of daughter, Janet Elizabeth, and son, Donald "Don" Grant. When later, as mature adults, both married, Dorothy always had a warm and affectionate regard for Janet's husband, John Lamont, and Donald's wife, Shaun Bradley. Her four granddaughters, Heather Sully and Jennifer Page, Amy and Kimberley Sedgwick, were dear to her heart. She was a proud great-nan of Nicolas Sully, Zachary and Maxwell Simon, and Mattea Levman. In search of an occupation outside the home, she followed others in her generation and returned to the University of Toronto. She earned a Master's degree in English and Master's degree in Library Science. She then had a brief engagement with publishing, employed as an editorial assistant at Quill & Quire. Afterwards she went into library work for which she had studied and trained, and was posted to the Reference Desk at the main branch of the Town of Markham Public Library. Experience gained there emboldened her to respond to a call from the Placement Officer at the U of T Faculty of Library Science: there was an opening for an experienced and capable librarian to establish and manage a library and information centre in the National Office of Price Waterhouse Chartered Accountants (now PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP). Dorothy was interviewed by a panel of PW partners, and then hired and, without delay, went to work converting a large room lined with bookshelves into an up-to-date business library. It was staffed with qualified librarians and equipped with the latest resources for the prompt retrieval of authoritative information requested by the firm's accountants, auditors, and management consultants. Dorothy now qualified for the designation of "special librarian." With the approval and support of PW management she joined the Special Libraries Association. In due course, she was elected President of the Toronto Chapter, home to more than 400 members. She attended annual SLA conferences held in major North American cities. By doing so she stayed up-to-date with developments in special library services. Price Waterhouse policy of mandatory retirement at the age of 65 brought to a close what Dorothy would later describe as the most productive and satisfying years of her professional working life. She returned to University College as a volunteer in Laidlaw Library. She also volunteered with U of T Senior Alumni Association. With the passage of time, Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, and by her aunt, Lil Graham, a mentor and guide throughout her childhood. After a long, physically and emotionally disabling illness, her husband, Don, went to his eternal rest one September day in 2003. A funeral service will be held in the Chapel of Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre (375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto) at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 26th, with reception to follow. Books and music sustained Dorothy throughout her life. In lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully received by your local public library, or the music program of your choice.

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Published by The Globe and Mail from Jun. 21 to Jun. 25, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for DOROTHY SEDGWICK

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3 Entries

Carol Craig

June 22, 2025

I will always remember with fondness your homemade jams at Christmas with a beautiful card thanking me for the Christmas display. You said it made you feel happy. You were a thoughtful, caring and very eloquent lady Dorothy. God Bless. Carol

Hugh Keeping

June 21, 2025

Thank you Mrs. Sedgwick (Dorothy) for your kindness and support of our band, Goldrush, all these years. You will be greatly missed.

Astrida Narbutas

June 21, 2025

My deepest condolences to the family. I remember Dorothy always being so friendly to me, even though I was just the receptionist next to the library. She and Nancy Wells were wonderful.

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Memorial Events
for DOROTHY SEDGWICK

Jun

26

Funeral

12:00 p.m.

Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre

375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON

Funeral services provided by:

Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Visitation Centre, Crematorium and Mausoleum

375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON M4T 2V8