We Remember

ZOELLNER, Dorothy Jean (née Whitham)
January 1, 1970 — January 1, 1970
‘’We’re going to Oma’s lake! ‘’ said many of her grandchildren, because in their minds, it was as if Okanagan Lake belonged to their grandparents, who lived on its shores for so many years. She died on 6 April 2020, here in Kelowna.
Dorothy Jean (née Whitham) Zoellner was born in Kelowna on 9 August 1929. Her parents, James Donald Whitham (b. 1899) and Florence Bartlett Clements (b. 1904), belonged to pioneer Okanagan families. The Clements settled in Peachland in 1908, while the Whithams arrived in Kelowna in 1912.
Dorothy attended Central Elementary School and Kelowna High School, where she excelled in academics and sports and was president of the class of 1947. She then studied at UBC, graduating in 1951 with a BA degree in English and French and her teaching certificate. She taught at Grand Forks Secondary School from 1951 to 1954. There she met fellow teacher William John “Bill” Zoellner. They were married in Kelowna in 1953 at St. Michael’s and All Angels Anglican Church. Together they had two sons, Garnet (b. 1955) and Reay (b. 1957).
From 1966 to 1973, Dorothy and Bill lived successively in Victoria, Courtenay, and Nelson, returning to Kelowna in 1973 when Bill was appointed Superintendent of School District 23. Dorothy returned to the classroom, teaching at Kelowna Secondary School until her retirement in 1987. In her golden years, Dorothy was active, penning a weekly history column for the Kelowna Daily Courier; writing tour books, leading tours, speaking about Okanagan history, knitting beautiful sweaters, golfing in the summer, curling in the winter, and welcoming many to their beachfront house on Bluebird Road.
Following Bill’s death in 2003, Dorothy remained active in community events, writing for and serving as president of the Okanagan Historical Society and taking tours to the United Kingdom and Alaska with primary school classmate Lorainne McLarty. She also made trips to Quebec and the United States to see her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. On 9 August 2019, family and friends gathered to celebrate Dorothy’s 90th birthday at one of her favourite spots, the Kelowna Golf and Country Club.
Our family thanks God for Dorothy’s life and for the life she has given to so many. We also thank her many friends who visited and encouraged her so faithfully over many years and the staff at Orchard Manor who provided excellent care to her over the final 18 months of her life.
Dorothy is survived by sons Garnet (Daryl) and Reay (Debbi), brother Gordon (Nancy), 9 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in Kelowna in summer 2020, God willing. Details will be announced as they are available.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
Although we knew Dorothy only during her time while at Orchard Manor, we Sunderlands enjoyed discussions and reminises with her. Nancy for one will sadly miss her. She was one feisty lady!
Dear Brian & Linda,
Thank you for your kind words, and your friendship with Dorothy during her time at Orchard Manor.
I am saddened to hear of Dorothy’s passing. She was an amazing woman who lived life to the fullest.. Clever and curious, she truly was a life long learner. Dorothy’ will be remembered with warmth and respect.
Jennifer Barratt
Dear Jennifer,
On behalf of the family, thank you for your kind words and memories.
A great lady and a true friend…. 50+ years. She touched many – inside and outside of the education field – and influenced all with her positive view of life, She loved life and ensured that others did as well, always willing to listen and to offer well thought out advice. She was passionate about life with family and how they [even from a distance] were progressing. Her second passion, outside of education, was her friends. She always had time and was open to hosting each and every one. How many have slept in the “pink room”, aor attended a hosted social at the beach? Time for everyone…. amazing lady and true friend.
Condolences to Garnet, Reay, and brother Gordon
Dear Greg & Danita,
You have been such faithful friends over all these decades. Thank you so very much !
I was saddened to hear of Dorothy’s passing. She was a great and gracious lady who I had both the honour and pleasure of working with her. She was a wonderful colleague and a beautiful, caring teacher. All who had the privilege of knowing her were blessed. To her family may God bless you and be with you at this time.
Dear Cyril,
So good of you to write ! Thank you for your memories and gracious testimony. God’s riches grace to you and your family.
Garnet, Reay, Gordon & Families . . . So sad to hear of Dorothy’s passing this past Monday. What a gem of a person & such wonderful friend over the years. Her long history & love for Kelowna was so evident in all her many encounters & activities she pursued over the years. Her stories & memories of growing up in Kelowna that she so generously shared will be greatly missed. We know you will cherish those special times you shared with both your mom & dad over the years. Much love & peace to you & your families as you mourn the loss of beautiful mom, sister, grandmother & great grandmother. Bernie & Ev Monteleone
Dear Bernie and Ev,
You have been such wonderful friends to our parents, and to us, over all these decades. Thank you !
Reay & Debbie we are saddened to hear of your loss. However we know that our God will guide us and comfort us as we rely on Him. Praying for you all in Jesus nam.
Dear brother and sister,
Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. Every grace to you both in our Lord and Saviour.
So sorry for your loss. Dorothy will truly be missed. A warm and amazing woman. Truly a life well lived. Rest In Peace.
Dear Margaret,
Thank you for writing and for your gracious words about Dorothy. She is missed already, but we are thankful to God for her life.
I got to know Dorothy so much better when we both belonged & worked together with the Kelowna Historical Society. Nobody knew Kelowna history as well as Dorothy. If there was ever a question she was who we always asked to get the correct answer. She was also connected to Glenmore through her grandparents & where I grew up & still live there. We had many discussions about life in early Glenmore! What a beautiful lady! i loved visiting her & shared her love of old china of which she had so much. i do hope her grandchildren will cherish it as much as she did. She lived a wonderful life. I am better for having known her. I will miss her. Kaye Benzer
Dear Kaye,
Thank you for your condoléances and for your memories of our mother. The Whithams to back to 1908 in Glenmore, and before that in Montreal, where we live. Many thanks and continued grace in your life.
Our visits with Dorothy since coming to Kelowna while few in number were always interesting, informative and rewarding. You will miss her greatly. May the Lord grant you much comfort and strength in the days ahead.
Dear Jim & Mary,
Thank you for sharing your memories and for your gracions words. Every grace to you in our Lord.
– Garnet & Daryl
My sincere condolences to the family. Dorothy and Bill were good friends of my parents in Nelson
Dear Lee,
Thank you for writing in remembrance of our mother Dorothy. I well remember her ” final tour ” in 2010, when we had a delightful visit with you mother Jean in Nelson. With best regards,
– Garnet & Daryl
I only just learned of Dorothy’s passing, so I apologize for the tardy message.
Dorothy was my favourite teacher at Kelowna Secondary in the 80s. She taught me both French and English, and it was because of her nomination that I won an education bursary at graduation, and that I received my BEd from UBC. I went on to become a teacher of both French and English myself, and recently retired after 33 years in the classroom. I live in the Ottawa area and met her granddaughter Elizabeth recently, who happens to live around the corner from me!
Dorothy (and yes, it’s still hard to call her by her first name) was an inspiring and loving person who genuinely cared about her students. I kept in touch with her via Christmas cards every year, until recently. I am so sorry to the family that they have lost such a great lady, but hopefully you can find comfort in the memories and amazing legacy she left behind. She lives on in everyone she touched.