Dorothy Mary Pratt

She was the daughter of Dr. John Robert O’Brien (1874-1961) and Mary Helen O’Brien (nee Barkley, 1894-1994), raised in Ottawa, and predeceased by her husband Denis Hugh Pratt (1928-2003) who was born in Winnipeg and raised in Victoria, BC.

Dorothy is survived by her brother John Robert O’Brien Jr., daughter Sheila Minkhorst (Keith), sons David Pratt (Cathy Gaudet) and Brian Pratt; grandchildren Cory Minkhorst (Jocelyne Moyer) and Erika Minkhorst (Jeff Scott), Emma and Alison Pratt, Michelle, and Sean Pratt; great-grandchildren Arthur and Eleanor Minkhorst, and Logan and Andy Scott. Aunt to Kathy, Kenneth and Gavin O’Brien and great-aunt to John Cutland, Anna Cutland, and Stephanie and Erin O’Brien.

Dorothy lived a very full life that was all about her family, volunteering, and organizing fabulous dinner parties and gatherings with friends and family. In her youth, she enjoyed and excelled at figure skating at The Minto Skating Club and tennis as a long-time member at The Rideau Lawn Tennis Club. She graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1950. She worked in the Federal Government of Canada at The Department of Northern Affairs and she had a passion for politics.

In 1955, Dorothy married Denis and they enjoyed life in the Royal Canadian Navy with postings to Victoria, Halifax, Boston, and Ottawa. They settled in Ottawa in 1963, where Denis moved into the Federal Public Service in 1970 until his retirement in 1991. She was also very active as a volunteer at May Court Club of Ottawa, and in grassroots politics as a strong supporter of the Liberal Party, including serving as president of the federal Ottawa-Carleton riding association in the 1970s and supporting elections as a Returning Officer. In later years, she also served with Census Canada and on the Board of Directors of Loto Canada. In their retirement, Dorothy and Denis enjoyed their grandchildren, global travel, golf, and bridge, all of which she continued. She also enjoyed her friends in the Red Hat Society of Ottawa for many fun adventures. She played golf at The Royal Ottawa into her late eighties and was an integral member of the Niners league there.

For Dorothy and Denis, the world revolved around their children and their families. She was a true matriarch and gave us all advice and support throughout her life. She will be forever remembered by her family as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and by all who knew her as a reliable friend who enjoyed conversation, parties, and having fun. The photo above is from her 90th birthday party which she single-handedly organized.

Dorothy and her family thank the staff of the Chartwell Rockcliffe Retirement Residence and MLC for their wonderful care and support during her time there since 2018.

Family and friends may pay respects at the McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home and Chapel, 1411 Hunt Club Road, Ottawa, ON K1V1A6 on Monday, November 20, 2023 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A Funeral service will be held in the Chapel on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. For those unable to attend, a live-stream of the Service will be available at https://fweb.tv/112135 .

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Dorothy’s cherished charities, Hospice Care Ottawa - May Court Hospice and/or The St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa Foundation. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McEvoy-Shields.com.