Dorothy Kathleen Brown Beckel

DOROTHY KATHLEEN BROWN BECKEL July 16, 2021 Dorothy Kathleen Beckel (née Brown) died at the age of 97 in her apartment at Amica Lions Gate Seniors Facility. Surrounded by her children, their spouses, and grandchild, she enjoyed visits in May, filled with good conversation, much reflection, and some good laughs before she died. She is lovingly remembered by her brother, Gordon (Rosemary); sister-in-law, Elvey; her son, William John (Carol); her daughters, Margaret Louise (Stan Gordon Harwood), Julia Marjorie Ann and Helen Amelia (Millie); her granddaughter, Molly Amelia (Ben); and her Vancouver friends, Maria and Bogue Babicki; Lethbridge friends, Ike and Diana Lanier; and lifelong friend, Ruth Redelmeier. Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, William Edwin Beckel; her sisters, Louise, Anne, and Marjorie; and brother, Edward. Born in Claresholm Alberta to Sadie Louise Brown (née Smith) and Edward Wetherell Brown, she lived on the family farm just outside of Claresholm and attended Starline School until she went to pursue a Science degree at the University of Toronto. After completing a BA in Biology and an MA in Plant Ecology at U of T, she then pursued a PhD in Plant Taxonomy at the State College at Ithaca New York (completing her comprehensive examination) and then moved on to Cornell University and completed the air photo interpretation program in the Faculty of Engineering. All this education was put to great use throughout her professional career as a Research Scientist, Defence Research Northern Laboratory, Fort Churchill, Manitoba; Air Photo Analyst, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; Contract Researcher, Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources (Air photo Interpretation Study of the Grazing Range of the Brochet Caribou Herd); Staff Scientist, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto, Ontario; member of three-person team responsible for developing exhibits on aspects of the North and of the Life Sciences; Secretary, Sub-arctic Panel, Canadian Committee, International Biological Program (CT); member of a panel which described and recommended 68 Canadian sub-arctic sites suitable for designation as Ecological Reserves and as Member, Advisory Group on Environmental Impact (group formed to act in a consultative way to the Officer Commanding, Canadian Forces Base, Suffield, Alberta). She was also an active leader in every city she lived in including the Art Selection Committee for the Port Credit Art Loan Society, President of the University College Alumnae Association, member of the Board of Governors for the Banff Centre, Chair of the Lethbridge Public School District, President of the Lethbridge Symphony Association, Founding board member of the Southern Alberta Art Gallery, Vice-President of the Canadian Nature Federation, President of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, President of the Ottawa Federation of Symphony Orchestras, Board member of the Nature Conservancy of Canada, President of the Association of Canadian Orchestras, Treasurer of the World Festival of Photography and Member of the advisory council for Orchestras Canada. Her leadership kept her engaged in her community from 1962 until 2003. Between 1981 and 1994, she was recognized with various Awards for her contributions to the arts. She was known to be visionary, forceful, tenacious, and graceful. As a scientist, she published nine papers and two book reviews related to plant ecology, air photo interpretation and ecological sites in Subarctic Canada. Her interest in the Arctic remained throughout her life as reflected in her ongoing membership in the Arctic Circle. Her early life on the farm and her study of plant taxonomy evolved into a passion and expertise in gardening that she turned into magnificent, lush, colourful, home gardens in each city she lived. Retirement with William in North Vancouver brought connections with close friends, family history, beautiful gardens, opera, orchestral music, theatre, ballet, art, and family. As a mother, a wife, a friend, and a sister, she was a forever fan, a confidante, a rock, a consultant, a critic, and a listening post. And she was a lifelong supporter of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Nature Conservancy of Canada's Prairie Grasslands Conservation Fund. Funeral arrangements provided by First Memorial Funeral Services in North Vancouver, B.C. www.dignitymemorial.com