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100 YEARS YOUNG |
May 1st 2008 is very special. On this day 100 years ago our pioneer and patriarch of the Kuvasz Club of Canada was born. Yes, I am talking about no other then our dear Dorothy. |
She lives in beautiful Lord Dufferin Residence in Orangeville, ON, is well and shares her wit and great knowledge with her friends. The only regret she has, quote “I do miss my dogs, but they wouldn't enjoy it here as much as I do and I do have to be sensible .” |
On Sunday May 4th she will celebrate a century with her, her friends and family from Ontario, England, and Spain. |
Please send your good wishes only, to Dorothy via cards, phone calls or email and of course if you can, join us at Lord Dufferin Centre Seniors' Residence , 32 First Street, Orangeville, Ontario L9W 2E1 (519-941-7502) |
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Dorothy May Wilkens was born May 1st 1908, the eldest of 3 girls, sisters Emily and Margaret. As a youngster Dorothy played teacher and knew that to be her dream. Dorothy followed that dream and came to Canada alone at the tender age of 19 in Sept. 1927 on the Laticia. Later the Laticia was sunk by Germany on the coast of Iceland during World War 11. |
Dorothy served as Captain in Girl Guides for 21 years. |
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Canada and New Zealand wanted English settlers,the cost was only 3 pounds with a job guarantee. Dorothy applied to go to a Dairy farm in N.Z but was afraid of cows and so was turned down. She was accepted to do housework and look after the children of Dr. Connel, Professor at the Royal Medicine College in Kingston. Ontario. She worked for the family for 5 year and they became lifelong friends. The grandchildren still come to visit. |
She graduated from Queens with honours with a Language Teaching Degree in French and Spanish. |
In 1948, the year Princess Elizabeth married, Dorothy went as an exchange teacher for one year to London, England. While there, the teachers of the American Society, were invited to attend a Royal Tea at the Royal Garden at Buckingham Palace. She was presented to and shook hands with the Queen mother. |
The teachers were very excited and decided to have their nails manicured. Money was scarce but they felt it would be worth doing. To their dismay, they had to wear proper attire and gloves were a must. What a disappointment, quote “We couldn't show off our manicures.” |
Dorothy shaking hands with the Queen Mother |
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After that year, Dorothy travelled to Leon, France to teach English. After one year she returned to Canada to accept a teaching position at the Ontario's Ladies College, a private school. |
Dorothy taught in South Porcupine, Northern Ontario for 8 happy years. She only left as she was offered a job in Oshawa in New Collegiate and became Head of Languages. She also taught English and Spanish to new Immigrants in Oshawa and Scarborough. |
While teaching in her night classes in Spanish, a handsome young man , Tom Grosart in the front row , asked to walk her home. She asked him if it was on his way “of course it is”. Later she found out he lived 2 miles in the other direction. They married in 1951. Tom was a Design Engineer who owned his own business and was a Professional Golfer. |
At this time, the Head Master Teachers Federation frowned on married teachers. They wanted to expel Dorothy but she stood her ground and backed by a Board of Reference, went to court and won her case. This was a precedence for married women teachers. |
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She spent her remaining years teaching in Scarborough and retired when she was 63 but continued to supply teach and tutor privately into her 90's. |
Her favourite flower is the Daisy, she loves seafood of any kind, loves Big Band Music and Hymn singing. Enjoyed sports, but “was never a star”. Her favourite sport is the Rounders game that Baseball adapted. Lawrence Chevalier is her favourite singer. She is also talented artist. |
50th. Anniversary |
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Tall Grass Perm. Reg'd Kennels. |
After they retired, Tom and Dorothy pursuit their love of dogs and founded Tall Grass Kennels. They were surrounded by tall grass and so it was an appropriate and sensible name for their future quest. |
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They were also instrumental in proposing Hip Certification for all breeds at the Univertisty of Guelph. She has travelled to Hungary, Sweden. Denmark and Germany in pursuit of breeding stock where she made lifelong friends. They were the founders of the Kuvasz Club of Canada and the Constitution and By laws. For over 20 years Dorothy served as President, Secretary and Editor for the Kuvasz Club. |
After retiring from breeding in 1982, they moved to Orangeville where they spent many wonderful years. In 1998 her beloved Tom passed away. Dorothy stayed on at their home until 2006 with the company of Dolly and Boomer. At the great age of 97, after the dogs passed on she retired to Lord Dufferin Residence. To this day, she loves to have conversation with anyone about her beloved breed. |
They paved the way for all breeders of Kuvaszok in Canada, Thank you Tom & Dorothy ! |
Happy 100th. Birthday, Dorothy |
I love you, |
Olga |
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Copyright 2008 Kuvasz Club of Canada Inc. |