Dodo (Dorothy) Heppner (née Finestone)

Peacefully on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in her hundredth year, in the circle of love she created.  Beloved wife and partner in life of the late Lyone Heppner for fifty-nine years.  Cherished by her children Martin Heppner and Judith Timson, Erik and Alison Heppner, Maxine Heppner and Christos Giotis, Sara Heppner and Danny Waldston. She nurtured special relationships with her glorious grandchildren Alexis and Wes, Andrew and Ricki, Jonathan, Emily and Mathias, Dalia and Tom, Nikki and Jordan and Tessa, and reveled in her spectacular great grandchildren Ben, Jamie, Winnie, Shiloh, Lily, Josephine, Eloise, Sam, Sophie and Aiden who all knew and loved their GiGi. Devoted daughter of the late Max and Frances Finestone. Dear sister and sister-in-law of the late Alan and the late Sheila Finestone, the late Anna Finestone and sister-in-law of the late Selwyn Heppner, the late Roberta and the late Sidney Pollock. 

Dodo was the embodiment of Tikkun Olam, driven by a need to make the world a better place and made conscious choices in her daily life to be a positive force. Together with Lyone, they dedicated their lives to the welfare of those less fortunate than most, organizing and leading in service of the Jewish community and the community at large. She shared her life with strength, courage, integrity, wisdom, joy and compassion.

Dodo was a trailblazer and led by example. She graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Science degree in a time when women and Jews were not welcome. She was the First Woman President of Herzl Health Centre, First Woman President of Allied Jewish Community Services, Founding Member of Auberge Shalom pour Femmes, Founding Member and Chairperson of the Montreal section Mazon Canada amongst many others. Dodo was a true Eshet Chayil (Woman of Valour). 

The Heppner home was always open to family, chosen family, friends, colleagues and even strangers who needed a warm heart. Dodo had an unending curiosity, made deep connections with everyone and bonded across generations. A woman of style and grace, her love of music and the arts enriched her life while the family retreat at Macaza enriched her soul. 

“I have lived a beautiful, rich and fulfilling life. Family is the most important thing. I am the luckiest person.” It is all of us who are the lucky ones.

Funeral service from Paperman and Sons, 3888 Jean-Talon St. W., on Friday, January 9 at 11:00 a.m.  Burial at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim Cemetery, 1250 chemin de la Forêt.  Shiva at her daughter Sara’s home. Contributions in celebration of Dodo’s life may be made to the “Dodo and Lyone Heppner Honor Fund” at the Jewish Community Foundation (514) 734-1538 click here, or to any worthy cause of your choice.