Farewell Vicki Dodds – you will be missed

Those whose path she crossed are richer for having known her and poorer for having lost her. Vicki Dodds, a huge champion of the local arts community and public libraries, died unexpectedly in her sleep at her home in Lake of Bays on Monday, September 7, 2015.

People who knew her were shocked and saddened as news of her death began circulating on social media. “Such a tragic loss, my Gosh, it’s unbelievable,” said Helena Renwick who worked with Dodds on the Huntsville Arts Society and considered her a friend. “She was just such a passionate woman about art and about this community and really, about pushing to have a public art gallery in this community. She was instrumental in getting The Art Space,” recalled Renwick.

Dodds was a giver, passionate about books, art and helping others. She made you feel welcome. She was a warm, non-judgmental person and her approach was always humane. Years ago she created a support group for women struggling with addictions and for many who struggled she became a mentor, possibly because she understood that, like her, everyone struggles with their own demons.

“She was such a giving person. She was an incredible supporter of everyone, and what they were interested in. She was great at building you up. She really made people feel good about themselves,” recalled Col Mitchell who worked alongside Dodds for three years on the Board of the Huntsville Arts Society. As president and vice president you couldn’t have asked for a better team, said Mitchell. Dodds was the social one who was great at networking and bringing ideas to fruition, while Mitchell was the quiet one who liked to work behind the scenes strategizing. “We just worked well together,” said Mitchell.

Dodds was an artist with the heart of a poet. Much of her artwork included poetry.

“A unique aspect to my work is that each painting includes a poem specific to that piece of work. Sometimes the poem comes first and sometimes the painting presents the emotional connection,” she wrote on the Muskoka Arts and Crafts website representing her work.

“I believe each piece comes from a place deeply held in my being simply waiting to be revealed. The poetry echoes or resonates my personal commitment. Naming each work confirms my artistic intent and integrity,” she wrote.

Dodds will also be remembered as a lover of books and ardent supporter of libraries.

She sat on the Lake of Bays Library Board and eventually became interim CEO.

“She really did bring the libraries into the 21^st Century,” recalled Linda Lacroix, CEO of Lake of Bays Library, comprised of both the Dwight and Baysville branches. “We didn’t have fax machines. We didn’t have photocopy machines. We had one old computer. We didn’t belong to the associations like the Ontario Libraries Associations… we didn’t go to the big conference in Toronto. She really got us involved in all of that,” recalled Lacroix. “She was a great mentor and a great friend. She volunteered up in the Dwight Branch for years, in fact, she was still volunteering. So she has a lot of history in the library. We really moved ahead quickly once Vicki got on board.”

Lacroix said Dodds, a former teacher, also loved her family and often spoke of her grandchildren. She was also a member of the congregation at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Huntsville. She sang in the church choir and always volunteered in fundraisers.

“She was a beautiful lady and warm and kind and giving and helpful,” said Lacroix.

Debbie Duce, of the Huntsville Library, also remembers Dodds fondly. Dodds was the first person she met from the larger community on her first day at work.

“She wanted me to know that the library was important and she wanted me to think about the idea of a library and a public art gallery for Huntsville together and that idea has always stayed with me,” said Duce. “I’m going to really miss her, her smile, her enthusiasm, her kindness.”

Dodds, 66, leaves behind her four sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren, as well as her husband of 46 years.

Her funeral will be held on Friday, September 11 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church in Huntsville.

Please follow this link for details: http://muskokafunerals.com/pub/Vicki-Dodds.html

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Muskoka Mental Health and Addiction Centre or to your own public library board.

My process has been and continues to be a glorious journey. Transformation. There is strength beyond my knowing and it shall be there… when I need it or call it into being – Vicki Dodds.