Dorothy's father was a much-admired teacher in Montreal. She inherited his wisdom and intellectual curiosity, which launched her on her own academic career.
When Dorothy married Harold Horn, his ambition was to become a physician. Ever the supportive wife, Dorothy put her already successful career on hold while she accompanied Harold to Wales and then England for his medical studies.
On returning to Canada, Harold became a family physician, eventually establishing his practice in Toronto. Dorothy again took up her professional career. Dorothy and Harold were childless, but Dorothy would say she sublimated her maternal instincts in favour of her husband, her sister, her nieces, her clients, her students and her colleagues and friends.
Dorothy never told anyone her date of birth. But this diminutive woman did tell everyone - patients, students and mental-health professionals - how to understand troubled families and relieve their suffering. Trained as a social worker at McGill University and the Tavistock Clinic in London, England, Dorothy became a key figure in the development and practice of family therapy in Canada.
Dorothy acted as director of social work at Montreal's Jewish General Hospital in the 1950s and later at Hamilton's Chedoke Child and Family Centre in the 1970s. At Chedoke McMaster Hospital she was involved in spearheading the clinical behavioural sciences program, and in 1992 was honoured with an award for her contribution.
Dorothy was irreverent, stylish and energetic. She supported anyone who deserved therapeutic help, but did not suffer fools gladly. Relentless and tenacious, she mentored trainees in psychiatry, social work, psychology, family medicine and other mental-health disciplines.
Dorothy and Harold acquired an eclectic collection of art, much of which they donated to the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery. They supported emerging artists as well as collecting classic works. Harold could be impulsive and would hide his "one-too-many" paintings under the stairs, later hanging them up and hoping Dorothy would not notice. She always did. They travelled extensively, which Dorothy felt aided her understanding of other cultures, especially immigrant families with whom she often worked. Harold died on Valentine's Day, 1989.
Dorothy loved Toronto with its cultural diversity, foreign films, opera and ballet. She regretted leaving her favourite city near the end of her life, but Montreal offered the support of her family. A superb mentor, Dorothy was a loyal and compassionate friend.
Coco Johnson is Dorothy's former student, colleague and friend.