While attending high school in Maidstone, AB, Dorothy met Vernon Longdo, and after nine years of close friendship, they married in Edmonton in1957. Vern’s career as a Mining Engineer took them to Elliot Lake, ON for three years, followed by three years in Labrador City, QC. From there they came west, to Penticton and then Vancouver, before settling in Calgary, AB in 1967 with their two children, Blair and Lianne.
Born in Ribstone, Alberta, Dorothy Genevieve Longdo née Tennant was the second oldest of eight siblings. After completing high school, she attended Teacher’s College in Saskatoon, SK, receiving her Teaching Certificate in 1951. During her teaching career, she taught primary grades in five provinces. Dorothy taught until 1964.
Dorothy also possessed a beautiful singing voice. While still living and teaching in Saskatoon, she also taught music, and founded the Youth Choir at Victoria School, which continues to sing today. She was the soloist of choice at many weddings in her hometown of Maidstone.
While living in Calgary, Dorothy became a student again, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Education at age 50. Education was her passion, and she was a very effective, respected teacher everywhere she taught. While teaching in Edmonton, at the request of the University of Alberta, she was the role model with whom student teachers were placed to learn the art of teaching effectively.
Dorothy & Vern retired to Shuswap Lake Estates in 1986. She became a stalwart member of the Canadian Cancer Society volunteer group in Sorrento, and in Salmon Arm. Never one to say ‘no’, Dorothy could always be counted on to carry out whatever task she was asked to do in a kind, caring and efficient manner. Her fellow volunteers also became her good friends.
Throughout their life together, Dorothy was always a full partner in everything she and Vern did. In honour of Dorothy, his life with her and the wonderful, compassionate person she was, Vern has established the Dorothy Longdo Memorial Bursary Fund. Each fall, the interest earned by the fund will be awarded to a student who meets the criteria set out in the fund’s Deed of Gift, and who plans to continue his or her post-secondary education.
