GENE DUFTY ODELL

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GENE DUFTY ODELL Gene passed away on July 14, 2010 at Sharon Home at the age of 85 years. Gene was the daughter of the late Frank Ellis Dufty and Mary Butler Dufty and sister of the late Donald Spiers Dufty. She was born in 1924 and raised in Montreal. She graduated from Miss Edgar's and Miss Cramp's School and in 1947 received her B.A. from McGill University. In 1949, earned her M.S.W. from the School of Social Work, University of Toronto, with specialization in Group Work, Recreation and Informal Education. Gene joined the staff of the Toronto YWCA (Weston Branch) and was Director of the Y Camp at Parry Sound on Georgian Bay. In 1952 she moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where she worked in Settlement Houses and for six years with the United Cerebral Palsy Association including directing its adult camp. In 1964 Gene came to Winnipeg, working briefly at the Manitoba Home for Girls. Subsequently she joined the staff at the YWCA as Assistant Executive Director. That was the year the old Y Building was torn down. Some of the programs moved temporarily across the street to the old Isbister School which the Y rented from the Winnipeg School Division No. 1. In 1965 Gene was hired by the Winnipeg School Division as a School Social Worker with the Child Guidance Clinic where she remained for 20 years. Some of the schools she worked with were King Edward, Carpathia, Queenston, William Osler, Wolseley, Clifton, Sargent Park, Daniel McIntyre and Greenway. Gene was a member of the Manitoba Association of Social Workers and of the Manitoba Institute of Registered Social Workers. After retiring in 1985, Gene was active in several community activities ranging from political involvement in her Party to voluntarism in community organizations. Those who so wish may contribute to the City of Winnipeg Library Department, Toy Lending Services, Centennial Library, 251 Donald Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3P5, to Knowles Centre Inc., 2065 Henderson Highway, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2G 1P7, to the Gwen Secter Creative Living, 1588 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2V 1Y3, to the Winnipeg Humane Society, 5 Kent Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2L 1X3, The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, C400-123 Doncaster Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3N 2B2, to the St. Boniface General Hospital Research Foundation Inc., 409 Tache Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2A6. A celebration of Gene's life will be held on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at Gwen Secter Centre, 1588 Main Street. Friendship... life a silent song plays on and on needs no time needs no verse to speak it's worth Friendship... lasts forever like a rose between the pages of time. composed by a girl at age fifteen Thomson In the ParK 925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 24, 2010