Dorothy Jean Dickner

With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Dorothy
Jean Dickner (née Arklie) on March 18, 2026, at the grand age of
95, in Ottawa.
Dorothy (Dot) was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and
great-grandmother. She was born on December 29, 1930, to the
late William and Ivy (née Barker) Arklie. She was the second
youngest of four siblings—Ron, Tudie, and Jack—and four halfsiblings,
William, Ernest, Anne, and Rebecca, all of whom
predeceased her.
She is survived by the love of her life, René Dickner; they recently
celebrated their 70th anniversary. Together, they raised four
children: Michel (Kim), André (Leanne), Lisa (Richard), and
Christiane (Kelvin). She also leaves behind her beloved
grandchildren: Holly, Jesse (Shannon), Lana, Robyn (Craig),
Cassandra (Jay), Matthew (Justin), Alex (Adelaide), Ashley
(Julian), Kayla (Danny), Jack and Paige, as well as her greatgrandchildren:
Ayden, Ayva Leigh, Xander, Arabella, Evelyn,
Georgia, Rose, Theodore, and Russell.
Dot was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and left school at an early
age to help support her family. She worked at a candy factory and
later at Eaton’s Department Store. In 1955, she married René,
and they began a lifelong partnership built on love, commitment,
and care. As René served in the Canadian Air Force, Dot spent
the next 20 years moving their growing family across North
America, making homes in Comox, BC; Florida; Kansas City,
Missouri; Saguenay, Quebec; Syracuse, NY; Ottawa, ON;
Chatham, New Brunswick; North Bay, Ontario; Quebec City; and
finally returning to the Ottawa area in 1975, where they settled.
She created a home filled with love, where her greatest joy was
ensuring her family was happy and healthy. She loved spoiling
her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and enjoyed
travelling the world, watching hockey, dancing, gardening, baking,
playing bridge, and keeping up with friends and her large
extended family.
Dot will be remembered for her warmth, her sense of humour, her
smile, her resilience, and the steady presence she brought to
those around her. Her legacy lives on through her children,
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who knew and loved
her.
Special thanks to Nurse Diane, Nurse Irene, PSW Rukiyo, Dr.
Szlanta, and all the staff at St. Vincent’s Hospital (4 South) for
their exemplary care and kindness to Dorothy during the past
year. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dorothy’s memory may be
made to the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County or
Bruyère Health – Saint-Vincent Hospital.
We invite family and friends to share their memories, messages,
and photos on this memorial page.
She will be deeply missed and always remembered.
Family and friends are invited to Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery,
and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa) on
Thursday, April 9, 2026, for a visitation from 10 am until the time
of the memorial service at 11:00 am, followed by interment at
Beechwood Cemetery.