Dorcas “Dot” Henophy passed away at the Ottawa Heart Institute on Friday, October 5, 2012. She was 76 years old.
Dorcas was born in Ottawa on October 28, 1935. She was an only child, raised by a single mom, and was baptized Dorcas Margaret Martin in the Anglican tradition. After completing her secondary school education, she went to work briefly for Bell Canada. From there she accepted a Government of Canada position with the Department of Health and Welfare where she remained until receiving what she called her “golden handshake.”
Along the way, Dot met and married Carl Patrick Henophy, and the couple lived in Ottawa for most of their married life. They moved to Froatburn shortly before Dot’s retirement.
It was a terrible blow for Dot when Carl died tragically and suddenly in November 1992. Following the funeral, Dot leaned heavily upon her faith and began worshipping regularly at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Morrisburg.
She became a confirmed member in 1993, and immediately began to take full part in the life and ministry of St. Paul’s. She loved to sing and had a wonderful voice and took part in weekly choir rehearsals and Sunday services.
Besides singing in the choir, Dot taught Sunday School, served as the SCS superintendent, and for two terms she held a position as a member of the Church Council. She was the recording secretary for approximately six years and kept wonderful records, something her many years at health and welfare had taught her.
In 2005, Dot joined St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Dunbar where she also served on Church Council from 2006 to 2012. Twice each year she took part in the “Adopt-a-Road” program as St. Luke’s supply driver.
Being born during the great depression, raised by a single mom for sometime in the grandparents’ home, she learned self-reliance and independence…at least until she met the love of her life: Carl.
Dot and Carl were soul-mates doing everything together: camping, fishing, playing cribbage, and watching Nascar races. They’d head out to their trailer in upper New York state at every opportunity to enjoy each other’s company.
If one had to sum up Dot’s personality or character in a handful of words or phrases you’d say that she was: loyal, loving, generous, and deeply spiritual. On the other hand she could also be quite stubborn, and even a bit cantankerous at times.
But most of all Dot was ever a true friend who loved to laugh and knew how to have fun even during these last three difficult years. She loved to knit and could sew like her biblical namesake, Dorcas. She enjoyed shopping –recreational and otherwise.
Dot will be fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews and many friends throughout the area.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Funeral service was held at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Dunbar, on Thursday, October 11th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Joachim Barkley-Probst officiating.
Interment of cremated remains followed at New Union Cemetery, Williamsburg.
Donations to the charity of your choice or St. Luke’s Lutheran Church would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.
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