Dolly’s Memorial Fund
“Her heart was so big, there was room in it for everybody.”
- Denis Walliser, 2005
There once was a lady named Dolly,
Who always seemed to be so jolly.
She did her work so well,
That we thought that she’s one hell of a gal.
Plus she had that smile,
and would make your time worthwhile.
Poem from Dolly’s Memory Book
A very special photo album is kept in Kettle’s archives. An album full of photos of people smiling into the camera, news articles, poems, and memory cards. It is filled with words of appreciation, love, and messages about how much Dolly will be missed. And she is missed by The Kettle family since she passed in 2005.
Dorothy Anne “Dolly” Roy was a long-term Kettle employee. She was a mental health worker and single mother of two boys when she tragically lost her life in a car accident at the age of 46.
Dolly was a founding Homeless Outreach Worker since the program was founded. Even before that, she spent her days dedicated to bringing light into the lives of our members by helping them cope, find hope, and overcome all the small and big obstacles they faced on a day-to-day basis. Dolly dedicated 100% of herself every day in the fight to better the lives of the most vulnerable people in our community - going above and beyond in her role was Dolly’s “trademark”. That and her big, beautiful smile.
The news that Dolly was gone came as a heartbreaker for The Kettle community.
Dolly life was taken suddenly in 2005 after a fatal car accident in Maple Ridge. The loss was tremendous for her family, her friends, and everyone who was blessed to have Dolly in their life.
A painting of Dolly is hanging on the wall at our Drop-in centre on Venables St since then. To honor her life and keep her spirit alive, we set up a special fund to support our members with wherever and however they needed support - just as Dolly would do.
“I am sure that you are the only one who didn’t knew how truly amazing you were. You had the uncanny ability to put people completely in care and help to make them feel that someone does indeed care about them no matter what. I miss your infectious laugh, your beaming smile...I miss so much about you Dolly...but most of all I miss my friend.”
DOLLY’S MEMORIAL FUND
Dolly’s Memorial Fund is a fund in memory and in honour of Dolly’s life and work. This fund assists individuals with costs that are not covered elsewhere. It can be anything from bed for the night after leaving detox, dishes and/or supplies for a new home, or bus fare to look for housing.
Dolly’s fund is made up and sustained by individual donations and contributions from The Kettle employees. Not many people know about Dolly’s fund but it’s impacts are felt daily. That’s why every single donation to this fund is meaningful, as it allows our team the flexibility to support our members with small amounts that make big difference in their lives.
If you would like to contribute you are more than welcome to do so with a one-time or monthly donation and with a note to our team that you want your donation to be allocated to Dolly’s Memorial Fund.
Dolly’s Memory Book
In Dolly’s Memory Book, we keep all the beautiful messages and poems that The Kettle community members wrote to honor her life and her spirit. We are sharing a few excerpts with you while we keep the memories of Dolly in our hearts. We continue to be inspired by her giving heart and infectious positivity.
“It didn’t matter to you what people did for a living or where they had been. Your love for mankind was enormous, unconditional, and non-judgemental. You advocated for the downtrodden, a Caregiver to them all.”
“Dolly was an inspiration to me. She was friendly to all of us. She had time for everyone too. ”
“Dolly could be a glow in the room with her smile. She had a serious side when it came to the security of consumers and staff. She lives in hearts and memories.”
“Dolly, you are someone I look up to. The Kettle will never be the same without you, but we will make you proud. ”
