Ivy Dunn

Dunn, Ivy Helen

It is with very heavy hearts the family of Ivy Helen Dunn (Nepean, ON) announces her passing at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute on March 23, 2020 at the age of 91 years.

After graduating from Nursing School at the Montreal General Hospital Ivy took a post graduate course in Psychiatric Nursing in 1953. She fell in love with this branch of nursing and continued in this field for the rest of her career.  As Supervisor of Nursing at the Douglas Hospital near Montreal, she implemented the "I expect" model of care which involved treating patients with care and respect, something that was lacking at that time.

Ivy worked for several years in Montreal before moving to Boston to complete her Masters Degree in Nursing.  After returning to Canada she worked in Children's Psychiatric Services until she moved to The Royal Ottawa Hospital (ROH) in 1970 as Director of Nursing.  While at the ROH she also taught courses at Algonquin and the University of Ottawa as well as being part of a team performing accreditation reviews for psychiatric hospitals and wards in the federal prison system.

When Ivy retired in 1989 she returned to the ROH as a volunteer in the clothing boutique. In 2003 she was honoured by her peers with the establishment of the Ivy Dunn Research Day which presents topics on mental health nursing practices annually.

In 2015 Ivy was honoured to receive the 2015 Royal Ottawa Inspiration Award for her many contributions to the ROH. Over a 25 year period of volunteering she helped make the ROH the best place it can be for those seeking mental health care.  She continued to volunteer right up until her death.

Ivy is survived by one sister, Jean Murphy of St. Lazarre, Que, sisters-in-law, Ruth Dunn, Toronto, Betty Dunn, Cornwall as well as several cousins.  Ivy was pre-deceased by her parents, the Rev. Canon Wm. C. Dunn and Mrs. Ivy Dunn, and her brothers George, Norman, Earl, Eric and Roy.

Ivy will be fondly remembered as the family “glue” by numerous nieces and nephews and their spouses - Ramona Dunn, Barbara Topp, Georgina (Merrill) Smith and Karen (Craig) Barbeau, Paul (Barbara-Ellen) Dunn, Bruce (Jan) Dunn, Garry (Sandra) Dunn, Sandra (Georges) Levere, Peter ( Zita) Dunn, David (Carrie) Dunn, Desiree (Roger) Dunn, Suzanne (William) McMahon, Sherie (Bruce) Campbell, Scott (Melissa) Tasch, Dennis (Donna) Murphy, Kathryn (Pat) Carpenter, and Brenda (Laris) Kletnicks.

Due to current circumstances, a celebration of Ivy’s life will be held at a future date with inurnment later at St. Paul’s Barachois West, Parish of All Saints Anglican Churches By the Sea, Gaspe, Quebec.

Memorial donations may be made to the Royal Ottawa Hospital (Ivy Dunn Bursary Fund) or to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.  Condolences, tributes and donations may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com.