I’m writing this from Maureen’s desk.

Thousands of you have seen this desk virtually or in person. It is the desk where she spent the last few years of her distinguished career doing what she loved.

It’s beyond overwhelming.

She went by many names…Mrs. Dockendorf, Mrs. D, MoMo, Mo, mentor... or in my case, Mom.

Mom would have killed me if this was enhanced by AI so please accept the imperfections.

Over the past 3+ years she has sat in this chair, at this desk, in this house carrying on as always - being a leader in the field of Early Childhood Education, inspiring others to make a difference and encouraging her family and friends to follow their passion.

During that time, while her energy and health continued to dwindle, she never surrendered her title of “The host with the most” at her home in Kaleden, BC.

Mom’s condition had her living with assisted oxygen 24hrs a day. That led to an overworked heart, which, on July 2, 2025, at 3:40pm, gave out. Three days after she retired from her 50+ year career.

Minutes before her last breath, her mind was sharp and focused on what’s important in life. My dad, Neal, left the hospital to grab dinner for them while they were waiting to be discharged by the medical team at Penticton Regional Hospital. During that brief separation mom texted “Don’t forget the fries. Haha”.

That’s my mom and dad. They believed that they’d grow old together. They tried to keep life’s challenges light while planning the next adventure. Momo and Nene were a magnificent team who could handle anything and gave everything to the people they loved.

To have Maureen Dockendorf as our mother was a gift. Carly, Brody and I have taken unique paths through our lives and careers. It was her steadfast belief that if you focus on a child’s gifts, not shortcomings, that they will find their place to thrive.

I wholeheartedly believe that the three of us are doing what we do best, and it is thanks to her support. I can only assume that there are hundreds of past students and young educators who would feel that she inspired them to thrive by focusing on their unique gifts.

Anyone who knew Maureen knew that she was a “child whisperer”. She brought out the best in kids. If they were energetic, she would find a way for them to put that energy to good use; if they were shy, she’d give them a safe place; if they were tough, she’d melt them. She saw the good in all of them.

Her grandchildren, Crosby, Hayden, Dusty, Kai & Brooks will forever remember the joy and love that flooded them every time they walked through the doors of Momo’s house.

If anyone ever asked me what connected “Momo and Nene” to each other I’d say that’s it’s the characteristic that Carly, Brody and I aspire to - generosity of spirit. They both have it. Mom gave the best of herself to everyone she came across, whether an underprivileged child, the server at the local restaurant, the city worker, or a dignitary. They all received an authentic, warm embrace from Maureen. Everyone was impacted by her positive energy.

It’s impossible to highlight all the stories and accolades of Maureen’s life but a few personal achievements that may not have been shared later in life:

- In her early 20s, (before Google maps and Expedia) she traveled around the world on trains and sailboats over an 18 month span

- She physically achieved more than most... She completed 20+ half / full marathons, rode bikes and sailed Europe with Kim and Faye (mostly from winery to winery;), hiked the west coast trail, climbed Machu Picchu, paddled the Bowron lakes multiple time and could, with panache, ski anything!!

- In 1982, with dad and our close family friends Kathy and Doug, built a cabin on Anderson Lake with no phones or electricity.

Maureen was a force that drove us to pursue our passion while also creating a safe home to come back to. No matter how long it was between visits we’d say how lucky we are to have her as our mom, and she’d say louder” How lucky am I??”

We love you mom

Dustin Dockendorf

I appreciate that this may be a disappointment to many of you but Mom and Dad made a pact that they wouldn't have a memorial/Celebration of life when the end came.   I encourage you to gather with your friends and family who knew Maureen and do what she would do....  Pour a stiff G&T and enjoy a meaningful conversation together.

I’ve asked two of the most impactful women in Maureen’s life to share some thoughts; Her sister Nancy Farrell and her longtime friend and colleague, Faye Brownlie.

From Nancy:

My sister Maureen (affectionately called “Sissy” by me) was born on July 24 1951 at Vancouver General Hospital. She was named Maureen, Elizabeth Jean Farrell, She grew up in Burnaby where she attended Morley Elementary, Edmonds Jr. High, Burnaby Central High School and SFU where she obtained a Masters Degree in Education. She was one of those rare people who was born with a preordained purpose….to be a teacher.

At age two, she taught me, her baby sister, how to crawl. Regrettably for me, the lesson was on how to crawl backwards. I spent a lot of time in corners. During these productions, she would hold court with our dolls, the stuffed animals and me. I don’t remember what she was teaching us, but I’m sure it was profound.

As the years went on she taught me many other important lessons:

HOW TO REMOVE UNWANTED FOOD FROM THE DINNER TABLE

It was a house rule to eat everything on your plate. We hated liver. It was considered a healthy food, I suppose, because at least once a month it was presented to us. Sissy taught me how to distract our parents (after we had cut it up and pretended to eat it) while she skillfully removed the chewed liver from our plates and deposited it on the floor under the kitchen table. I was carefully coached on how to deliver theatrical tears or a well timed tantrum.

When it was time to clear the table, she would engage our parents in conversation and on cue, I would drop cutlery onto the floor, pick up the cutlery along with the liver and put the liver at the very bottom of the garbage can. Eventually, we would retrieve it and feed it to our much loved dog, Jasper. It was just one more of her “teaching moments”, always effective and always with good results to show for it.

HOW TO GET THE PUPPY INTO THE BEDROOM WHERE HE WAS NOT ALLOWED

Another great teaching moment. Our parents would be watching television in the “rec room” downstairs and I was assigned an important role: lookout. It was a very important job, she told me. She would sneak our dog Jasper into her room, up on her bed and play with him until I ran up the stairs to warn her that trouble was coming. Looking back, I realize I didn’t get much out of it….no treats, no time with the dog…but I was learning something far more valuable: the art of loyalty, timing and following a confident leader!

HOW TO DO THE LEAST AMOUNT OF CHORES AND GET PAID THE MOST

Our parents played golf on the weekends. Our mother would cleverly write “housework” jobs on individual slips of paper. She’d put an amount of money on each piece of paper, fold it up and put it in a bowl. For example, a slip might say “vacuum the house 50 cents”. Maureen and I would each take turns pulling a slip and these would be our jobs to do while they played golf. Our mother would hide a scrap of paper, a sock or some other small item somewhere in the house. This was a test. If the item was still there when Mom came home, she would know we hadn’t done a thorough job and therefore we would not be worthy of payment! Maureen grasped this lesson quickly, learning from our mother, who was also a teacher.

And what did my sister teach me? Of course….start by finding the hidden item and clean that area very, very well. Then, you could skim on the rest! Somehow, she always ended up with more money than I did. Funny how that lesson never made it into the curriculum.

HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE

This event took place each year, on the day of our Mother’s birthday, Dec. 15th. My sister cleverly chose that day, knowing Mom would be distracted. I was assigned the role of Nancy Drew and she, of course, was Inspector Miss Maureen Marple. I was taught how to covertly search for hidden Christmas presents. Our operation ran successfully for a few years until we were discovered by our Dad who began putting the presents in the garage rafters, out of our reach! Still…it was a hands-on lesson in curiosity, patience and the thrill of discovery!

These are just a few of the memorable lessons I learned from my sister early in life and it must be very clear by now that her passion for Early Childhood Education started just as early.

Maureen was the result of a mother and father whose love was very well balanced. Our mother provided the structure, discipline and drive that shaped our lives. She was deeply devoted to preparing us for success in the world, always looking ahead. Our father filled our lives with warmth, patience and affection. Together, they gave Maureen the exceptional qualities that made her so deeply loved and widely respected.

Where did the time go Sissy? You always used to say that and now I find myself asking the same question. Thank you for a lifetime of memories, capers, laughter and love. May the sun shine warm upon your face, until we meet again.

Nanci Farrell….your Sissy

From Faye:

Ah, Maureen.

How I am missing you. Already.

Family – Neal, Dustin, Carly, Brody and the grands centred Maureen’s world. I met Maureen through work 40 years ago, and suddenly, magically, our family was part of her family. Over the years, I’ve watched her ‘family’ grow, in ever expanding circles. Her sense of family allowed her create change for children as she parented educators in all levels of our system, from those first kindergarten families to Ministry officials today.

Through the years, my dominant word for Maureen is JOY. She considered herself blessed. She exemplified finding joy and pursuing her dreams in both work and play. She created beauty. She has left us with the legacy and the challenge of ensuring that all children find joy at school and in the pursuit of their dreams.

Maureen touched the lives of so many educators throughout the province. More than a guiding light, she was a sunbeam, focusing our collective energies on the positive. From kindergarten teacher to SFU Faculty Associate to Principal to Assistant Superintendent in Coquitlam to the varied provincial Superintendent roles at the Ministry of Education, Maureen was known for uniting people, defining a shared purpose, developing an inquiry-based action plan, making a difference in the professional lives of educators to better the learning and the possibilities for all children.

Our families shared so many adventures – sailing, cycling, skiing, traveling, laughing, crying – always with Maureen’s indominable spirit, her over-the-top presentation (think menu, table settings, food, flowers, décor, and of course, herself!), her energy, her passion.

Always inclusive, always inquisitive, always purposeful, Maureen maximized every day. She collected people. She collected their stories. She networked. She collaborated. She worked through your heart to your mind. She was first there in times of challenge and in times of celebration.

Together we raise our glasses. Thank you, Maureen, for making a difference in our lives and inviting us into yours. You have left our world a little less bright, but ever so much richer.

Faye Brownlie

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/maureen-dockendorf/obituary/

Copy