Members of the CWLC say a sad goodbye to our longtime member Dorothy Elizabeth Little. On December 21, 2024, Dorothy peacefully passed away at the age of ninety-six with family by her side.

To state that Dorothy was a “longtime” member is quite an understatement. Dorothy joined the Calgary Women’s Literary Club in 1956, at the age of twenty-eight. She was an active member until 2014 and an honorary member until her passing. In the past year, Dorothy, accompanied by her daughter Nancy, attended several regular meetings and the Spring Luncheon and AGM. As a member of the CWLC for sixty-eight years, it is possible Dorothy is the longest attending member of any literary club in Canada.

Dorothy’s first presentation, in 1956, was on poet and playwright Christopher Fry. In total, she presented twenty-eight times, with her last presentation in 2014. Presentations include writers such as Kenneth Grahame, Aldous Huxley, Wole Soyinka, Maxim Gorky, Emily Carr, and Tennessee Williams. In addition to her presentations, Dorothy served on the CWLC Board as treasurer and vice president. Members remember Dorothy as “gracious, knowledgeable, organized, friendly, and cheerful.” One member recalls Dorothy covering a last-minute vacancy, when a scheduled member was unable to present.

Along with the CWLC, Dorothy contributed to many other organizations in Calgary including the University of Calgary, the Calgary Public School Junior High Commission, the Calgary Regional Arts Foundation, the Glenbow Museum, among others. Family was Dorothy’s greatest joy and passion.

While members of the CWLC sadly miss our longtime member and friend, we celebrate a life well lived and are grateful to have had Dorothy dedicate so much of her life to our club.

Posted by Mooréa G. and Anita M.