Dorothy Margaret Goresky

Dec 3 1925 - Aug 12 2023.

Dorothy Goresky (née Simpson) was born in the White Stucco House in Lindequist, near Battleford SK and grew up as a farm girl during the depression on the prairies. When she won a Governor General's award in grade 12, her thoughtful high school principal surprised her by proposing that she pursue a career as a medical doctor. After a further series of awards and scholarships, she received her M.D. from the University of Alberta in 1950. This was a time when female physicians were a very rare breed.

She and her young husband, Walter, became the town doctors in Neudorf SK, living and working for four years in a house by the tracks, with no running water and a coal furnace. In 1955 they moved to Topeka Kansas with their son, Mark, and daughters Lynne and Leslie. Brenda (now Soma) was born in Topeka. Returning to Canada in 1958, Dorothy worked part time at the Burnaby Metropolitan Health Clinic, but she spent much of her time raising her four rambunctious children. She also loved gardening, the outdoors, and she always welcomed friends and family to her home.

In 1965 Dorothy became the first female Physician at the Student Health Services of the University of British Columbia. She specialized in stress management, perhaps the most common medical problem afflicting UBC undergraduates. A number of former UBC students recall how she changed their lives with her understanding and thoughtful advice and encouragement.

She became active in social issues and was the founding President of the B.C. Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, a group of doctors dedicated to avoiding nuclear warfare. She was the National President of the Canadian Chapter of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War when they received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985 and she was invited to and attended the ceremony in Oslo. In 1989 she spearheaded the Vancouver Lanterns for Peace ceremony on Hiroshima Day, organizing doctors and veterans to make presentations to the 4,000 school children who had produced floating lanterns for the ceremony. In the 1990s she marched in the Gay Pride Parade in Vancouver.

Following the divorce with Walter in 1975, Dorothy made a conscious effort to channel her creative energy. She wrote a four volume autobiography and travelled extensively to China, India, Cuba, England, Africa and Costa Rica. She provided rooms in her house for needy relatives and she remained engaged with the activities and governance of the Unitarian Church of Vancouver.

Dorothy had a cheerful, optimistic and philosophical outlook on life. She taught her children to value warmth and love, to respect the dignity of others, and to work to protect the environment. She was predeceased by her daughter Lynne, and is survived by her son Mark, daughters Leslie and Soma, grandchildren Sam Ryan and Sonja and Jason Vance, and great grandchildren Ben Vance and Casper Ryan. The world is a better place because of her.