Submitted by the Staff of the Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH)
In 1934, Dora Noy (née Vick) became the first woman from Orillia to graduate from university. Noy attended the University of Toronto where she achieved a Bachelor of Arts. She later went on to become a charter member of the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW): Orillia Chapter.
Noy was a member of one of Orillia’s well-known families, the Vicks. Her grandfather, George Vick, had opened Orillia’s first bakery, “Geo. Vick & Sons” in 1856, which was located where Mariposa Market is today.
After university, Noy returned to Orillia where she married Charlie Noy. Due to the advantages which her life’s circumstances had afforded her, Noy chose to become a philanthropist, giving back to many local organizations including the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA), Big Brothers Big Sisters, Lakehead University, St. James’ Anglican Church, the Alzheimer’s Society, and more.
Perhaps her biggest contribution is “Dora’s Place” at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH). Noy passed away in 2011 at the age of 99, and in her will, she left a generous gift to OSMH. It was the largest donation at that time by an individual that had been bequeathed to the hospital’s foundation.
The funds were directed to the refurbishing of the hospital’s lobby, which was transformed into the comfortable and welcoming space, which patients and families so desperately needed.
Dora’s Place is a reminder of the generosity of Dora Noy, who broke barriers for Orillia women, and used her advantages in life to help others. She is pictured here in a sketch created by artist L.E. Hinds.
Next week we will feature another object from the OMAH collection that showcases our local history.
