Dorothy Louise Sedgwick (nee Taylor), November 24, 1927 – June 17, 2025

The only child of Grant Edward Taylor and Anne Louise (Graham) Taylor, Dorothy grew up in Toronto, where she attended St. Clement’s School. After graduation she enrolled in University College at the University of Toronto and was awarded a B.A. (Hons.) degree following four years of studying philosophy.

After graduating, she married Charles McDonald (Don) Sedgwick. They built a house north of suburban York Mills, where they lived with their children for many years.

Dorothy was the loving mother of daughter, Janet Elizabeth, and son, Donald (Don) Grant. When later, as mature adults, both married, Dorothy always had a warm and affectionate regard for Janet’s husband, John Lamont, and Donald’s wife, Shaun Bradley. Her four granddaughters, Heather Sully and Jennifer Page, Amy and Kimberley Sedgwick, were dear to her heart. She was a proud Great Nan of Nicolas Sully, Zachary and Maxwell Simon, and Mattea Levman.

In search of an occupation outside the home, she followed others in her generation and returned to the University of Toronto. She earned a Master’s degree in English and Master’s degree in Library Science. She then had a brief engagement with publishing, employed as an editorial assistant at Quill & Quire. Afterwards she went into library work for which she had studied and trained, was posted to the Reference Desk at the main branch of the Town of Markham Public Library.

Experience gained there emboldened her to respond to a call from the Placement Officer at the U. of T. Faculty of Library Science: there was an opening for an experienced and capable librarian to establish and manage a library and information centre in the National Office of Price Waterhouse Chartered Accountants (now PriceWaterhouseCoopersLLP). Dorothy was interviewed by a panel of PW partners, and then hired and, without delay, went to work converting a large room lined with bookshelves into an up-to-date business library. It was staffed with qualified librarians and equipped with the latest resources for the prompt retrieval of authoritative information requested by the firm’s accountants, auditors, and management consultants.

Dorothy now qualified for the designation of “special librarian.” With the approval and support of PW management she joined the Special Libraries Association. In due course, she was elected President of the Toronto Chapter, home to more than 400 members. She attended annual SLA conferences held in major North American cities. By doing so she stayed up-to-date with developments in special library services.

Price Waterhouse policy of mandatory retirement at the age of 65 brought to a close what Dorothy would later describe as the most productive and satisfying years of her professional working life. She returned to University College as a volunteer in Laidlaw Library. She also volunteered with U. of T. Senior Alumni Association.

With the passage of time, Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, and by her Aunt Lil Graham, a mentor and guide throughout her childhood. After a long, physically and emotionally disabling illness, her husband, Don, went to his eternal rest one September day in 2003.

A funeral service will be held in the Chapel of Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre (375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto) at 12:00 noon on Thursday, June 26th, with reception to follow.

Books and music sustained Dorothy throughout her life. In lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully received by your local public library, or the music program of your choice.