DOROTHY MENDONCA

Dorothy Mae Heckner was born on August 18, 1934, in Neenah, Wisconsin. She grew up with her parents, George, and Erna (Pagel,) and older siblings Helen and Howard, in a dark tan brick home her parents built, with a double yard overlooked by a vibrant garden.

Dorothy's youth was full of adventures. She spent her summers serving others. With the Quaker American Friends Service Committee in Missouri, she helped build a base for a community care center craft house, did some vegetable plowing, and helped deliver library books on horseback. She was part of a youth caravan with the Evangelical and Reformed Church that worked with youth and wrote sermons in Ohio. She went with the Presbyterian Church denomination to West Virginia to work in Christian Education in the coal camps. Dorothy spent time working with other youth at a work camp in Norway. Later, she worked at Winnebago Mental Health Institute.

Dorothy received her undergraduate degree from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio. She obtained her first master's degree, which was in psychology from New Mexico Highlands University. She then attended Chicago Theological Seminary and the University of Chicago Divinity School, where she received her Master of Divinity degree. While there, she met her husband, John Mendonca, from Berkeley, California.

Dorothy and John were first married –and then ordained– at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Neenah across the street from her childhood home. Their 57 years together began with a trip to Evergreen Beach Hotel in Ephraim, which would become a favorite family destination.

When they were first married, John and Dorothy lived in Emerald Grove, near Janesville, where John served as the pastor of the United Church of Christ. They then moved to Oshkosh where they both served as pastors at Bethany UCC. While in Oshkosh, their daughter, Heidi, was born. 

In 1972, the family moved to Sturgeon Bay. Dorothy loved wildflowers, birds, and all kinds of nature. She became friends with many Door County notables such as Roy Lukes (naturalist at the Ridges Sanctuary) and Gerhard Miller (artist), who gave her an original painting when she baptized his grandson.

While in Sturgeon Bay, Dorothy was one of the very first ordained women to serve the Moravian Church. One of her passions was Christian Education. She served as interim pastor at many UCC parishes throughout the state. In 1997, Dorothy became pastor at Redgranite First Congregational UCC where she remained until 2014. While there, she dedicated a lot of time working for restorative justice in the prison system. Dorothy also enjoyed serving on committees for the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ.

Dorothy's pride and joy were her daughter, Heidi, and grandchildren, Natalie, and Ross. Heidi's childhood was filled with cooking sessions, craft projects, and adventures. Grandma was there for all her grandchildren's activities:  concerts, soccer games, performances, birthdays, and holidays. She embodied unconditional love. 

Dorothy believed in equity. She was a good listener who had relevant things to say. She was extremely independent. She was a pioneer for women clergy and women in general. She taught her daughter and grandchildren that they could do anything they set their minds to doing.

Dorothy's family knows she will be present with them wherever their journeys take them. She made sure to tell Natalie and Ross that she would be sitting on their shoulders for their graduations and beyond. Her family sends their love with her until they meet again.

A memorial service for Dorothy will be held at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 724 E South River St, Appleton on September 17, 2022. A time to visit the family will begin at 1:00 until the time of the service at 2:00 with a gathering to follow.