TRIBUTES are flowing today for Mount Gambier woman Dorothy Jean “Dot” Sheridan, who was tragically killed when her car collided with another vehicle near Waikerie on March 4.
A dearly loved wife of John and mother of Tammy and Mark, many family and friends across the region are mourning the loss of Dot, 67, who will be remembered this morning at her funeral service at Carinya Gardens.
Close friend Jill Hosking said Dot had left a huge mark on the Mount Gambier community and she was deeply saddened by her passing.
“She was a loyal, caring, amazing person with a pretty good sense of humour,” Ms Hosking said.
“She was my close friend for 40 years and she made a huge contribution to sport in the city.”
While Dot – who was the current secretary of the Western Border Football League (WBFL) – was best known for her efforts on sporting committees and as a coach, Ms Hosking said her loss will be felt far wider.
“Even people not in sport will recognise who you are talking about if you mention her name, she was just that kind of person,” Ms Hosking said.
“She left a mark in all walks of life.”
Dot was a stalwart of the West Gambier Football and Netball Club and president Brenton James said the club had been left “heartbroken” by the tragic news.
“Dot’s involvement with West Gambier Football and Netball Club spans in excess of 30 years as both a netball player and club administrator,” Mr James said.
“As a sporting club, we are absolutely heart broken to hear the news of the tragic accident that claimed the life of Dot Sheridan.”
In those 30 plus years, Dot dedicated herself to various roles, including club secretary and treasurer, working alongside a number of different presidents and committee members.
“Dot is the longest serving administrator in the history of the West Gambier Football Club having served for 15 years in the role of secretary or treasurer, working closely with six different presidents in her time with the club,” Mr James said.
“Dot’s willingness to continually give freely to our sporting club over such a period of time saw her awarded honorary life membership with the West Gambier Football Club in 1999.”
Ms Hosking played netball with Dot and worked alongside her on committees for many years at West Gambier.
“For five of those years she was the secretary and treasurer at the same time and she stood tall during some pretty dire straits at West Gambier financially,” Ms Hosking said.
“She was absolutely dedicated to West Gambier and had a huge impact during her time there.”
Dot’s involvement with the game of football in Mount Gambier did not stop there with her passion and commitment seeing her join the WBFL committee in 2013 as secretary.
Despite this, she still found her way back to Malseed Park, helping West Gambier Football Club and the people involved wherever she could.
“Dot was remarkably generous with her time, continuing to offer advice and assistance to me personally in my role as West Gambier Football Club president, even though she had a demanding role as the WBFL secretary,” Mr James said.
“The entire West Gambier Football and Netball Club extends our deepest sympathy to John, Tammy and Mark and their respective families during this very sad time”.
The family of the late Dorothy Jean (Dot) Sheridan have advised all relatives and friends her funeral service will be held in the Carinya Chapel in the Carinya Gardens Lawn Cemetery today at 11am.
