Dorothea Withington Hanchar
April 1, 1961 to July 1, 2025
Obituary
It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news of the passing of Dorothea Withington Hanchar, on July 1st, 2025. Dorothea courageously fought a fourteen-month battle with non-Hodgkin B-cell Lymphoma. She died peacefully in her sleep at the Health Sciences Centre, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, with family at her side.
Born Dorothea Barrows Withington in Washington, District of Columbia, on April 1, 1961, Dorothea attended high school at the National Cathedral School (1979) in Washington, District of Columbia. She received a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) degree in Geology from Smith College, in Northampton, Massachusetts (1983), and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Geology from Vanderbilt University (1986) in Nashville, Tennessee. She was employed as a Hydrologist for the United States Geological Survey (1985-2000) and the United States National Science Foundation (2000-2004). Upon moving to St. John’s, Newfoundland in 2005, Dorothea was employed by Petroleum Research Atlantic Canada (2005-2008), the Geological Survey, Department of Natural Resources (2008-2010), Water Resources Management Division, Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment (2010-2019), and most recently Director of the Geological Survey, Industry, Energy, and Technology (2019-Present), all in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks, both in California, were two of her favourite places to visit; she loved hiking in the wilderness of both parks. She also enjoyed walking the streets and visiting museums in Paris, France, London, England, Berlin, Germany, and New York City, New York. She was also an outstanding home chef and enjoyed collecting cookbooks from around the world, from which she loved to try new recipes. In her free time, she was a voracious reader, with a love of books that was not limited by genre.
Dorothea married John M. Hanchar, Sr., on November 26th, 1988, in Centreville, Maryland.
Dorothea was preceded in death by her parents, Joan and Charles Withington of Centreville, Maryland. She is survived by her husband John M. Hanchar, Sr., of St. John’s, sister Frances Neville Withington (Kerry Kingham) of Oakton, Virginia, son John M. Hanchar, Jr., of Toronto, Ontario, and stepdaughter Sonja M. Hanchar (Brent McCaskill) of Vancouver, Washington. She was a loving and thoughtful wife, mother, stepmother, sister, and friend.
Donations may be made in her honor to the following organizations: Diabetes Association (Canada); Canadian Red Cross; Canadian Cancer Society; or the Cancer Care Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Dodie and I were geology majors at Smith College, MA (Class of ’83) which was a small department, so we spent a lot of time together whether it be on field trips, labs or in class. In addition, Dodie and I were at geology field camp in Montana during the summer of 1982 and again had fun times and hiking trips together. Aside from being a very smart and dedicated geologist, Dodie had a wonderful, quirky sense of humor and was great fun to be with. I moved overseas in 1988, life got busy for us both and sadly we did not keep up – I deeply regret that. I will treasure the many special memories I have of her and send my heartfelt condolences to Dodie’s family and friends.
My condolences to her family and friends. I knew her as Dodie when we sang together at Smith, and I spent a wonderful week with her and her family during. a spring break trip to DC, where she shared her lovely hometown with me.
John, I am so sorry for your loss. Sending my deepest condolences to you and the family.
Sincere condolences to Dorathea’s family. I just learned of her passing, and I’m so sad to hear about it. I met Dorathea through her work at IET, and I thoroughly enjoyed her intelligence, quick wit, and hearty laugh. Our world, and our province, is better because she was in it.
Thinking of you all.
I am so saddened to learn of Dorothea’s passing. We worked together in the Department of Environment. She had a lovely sense of humor but also incredibly capable and willing to lend her knowledge and expertise to whatever issue was at hand. Condolences to her family and friends.
Condolences to her family and friends. I met her a handful of times and she was always a pleasure to chat with. She gave an interesting talk in our Planner’s Plate speaker series several years ago, for local professional planners. She was well spoken, engaging, and interesting. So sorry to hear of her passing and too young of an age.
Sending condolences to Dorothea’s family and friends. I am sorry to learn about her death. Sincerely, Amanda
My sincere sympathy to Dorothea’s family and friends. I enjoyed Dorothea’s company when we worked at the same department. I have fond memories of her kindness, sharing laughs and advice, and often some stories of our dogs as well.
Dorothea always showed up for me. She came to parties and events. She was smart and brave and full of life. The last time I saw her we were all chasing the eclipse. She will be so missed.
Sonja, Johnny, & Michael, I am so terribly sorry for your loss; my sincere condolences to you and your family.. All my love, Susanna
Sincerest condolences to Dorothea’s family. We met through departmental interests but had many great work adventures. Her intelligence and wit made each adventure a ‘hoot’. She will be missed.
Dorothea was such a warm and wonderful person. Sending so much love to the family.
John, we were so sorry to hear of Dorothea’s passing.. Our deepest sympathy to you, family and friends.
Henry and Linda Longerich
Condolences to the whole family. I am very sad to hear that Dorothea has passed away. She was warm, generous, intelligent and friendly, and I feel privileged to have met her.
John, Johnny and Sonja, I am so very sorry for your loss. Dorothea was a good friend to me, and I will miss her thoughtful advice, her curiosity, and her quick wit. She always spoke about all of you with love and with deep pride and genuine affection. I hope your memories of her bring you comfort..
Deepest sympathies to the family. Dorothea often made me laugh when we worked at GNL together. RIP Dorothea
My condolences to Dorothea’s family. Our paths at work did not cross often but when they did, she was always friendly, greeted me with a smile and usually a little laugh. Her uplifting presence will be greatly missed.
I am so sorry to hear about Dorothea’s passing. I really enjoyed working with Dorothea, so eager to lend a helping hand and we always shared a laugh and a smile. She will be dearly missed, deepest condolences to her family and friends.
My condolences to Dorothea’s family and friends. I worked with Dorothea several times during our time with the Provincial Government and enjoyed her positive attitude and her guidance on the issue we were dealing with.
Dorothea had a joyful spark and a strong presence. She was full of wit and loved to laugh. She listened, championed behind others in their accomplishments, and was a great knowledge a resource.to others. We intersected professionally but connected personally and became friends.
Dorothea mattered and made a difference.
She will be so fondly remembered.
John and family, we were so sorry to hear of Dorothea’s passing. Condolences from us both.
Condolences to John and family. All the best during this difficult time.
John, I am heartbroken to learn of Dorothea’s passing. Hugs to you and all her loved ones.
My sincere and deep condolences and sympathy to John and family.. I knew Dorothea personally and through her professional roles, and she was a thoughtful, dedicated and kind person in both connections. She was a fun-loving person. Her death is a loss to all who knew her. I hope your memories give you comfort now and in the future.
John my deepest condolences to you and your family. I remember Dorothea as a sweet, caring, thoughtful and humorous woman. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time.
Sincerely
Tanya
I send my deepest condolences to John and Dorothea’s family. Dorothea was a dear colleague. Knowing her was a pleasure – she brought such joy to work even in the most tricky situations. I always appreciated her professionalism, knowledge, enthusiasm for a vast array of interests. I will remember her fondly and I’m sure that there will be a hole in your lives.
John , so sorry to hear of the passing of your wife , please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you go through this very difficult time.
I’m so sorry to hear of Dorothea‘s passing. I had the pleasure of working with her at government for a few years and the good fortune to seek her good advice a few times since. I knew she had not been well recently, but this came as a complete shock. My sincere condolences to family, friends and colleagues.
John, Johnny and Sonya.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your beautiful wife, mom and step mother… Thinking of you all at this difficult time. Dorothea was a beautiful soul whose memory will live on forever in the hearts who loved her most. ❤️
She will be with you always and I hope you find peace and comfort in all the wonderful memories you shared. together. RIP Dorothea 🙏
Sending my sincerest condolences to Dr. Hanchar and your family, as well as Dorothea’s close friends. I had the great pleasure of working with Dorothea on the National Geological Surveys Committee, and engaging with her at various earth science functions and conferences over the years. She was always so kind, funny, and considerate. It was a pleasure to know her and work with her. Her legacy in the field of geological sciences is significant and will endure, and so too will the positive impact that she left on so many.
John and family. I was deeply shocked and saddened to see this, this morning. I was speaking to her a few short months ago and everything seemed fine. My condolences to you all and the rest of the family. May she rest in peace.
John and family. I was deeply shocked and saddened to see this, this morning. I was speaking to her a few short months ago and everything seemed fine. My condolences to you all and the rest of the family. May she rest in peace.
I learned of Dorothea’s passing with great sadness this week, and we send our condolences to John, John Jr. and Sonya, and to all her family. I worked directly with Dorothea when she first came to the Geological Survey, and to do so was a great pleasure. She was very efficient and organized, and also innovative and experienced in many diverse areas. She always contributed new ideas to projects that involved her and often gave new perspectives to those that did not.. It came as no surprise to me that she went on to make contributions to knowledge about our vital water supplies and then eventually returned to the Survey in a different capacity. Her amiable but determined personality was important in that career success and her passing is a loss that will be hard to measure. Her absence will be felt far beyond the geoscience community, I am sure. Our thoughts are with her family at this very difficult time.
Andrew and Vi Kerr, St. John’s
Dorothea was a light every time I met her. The world is a darker place without her in it. She will be missed dearly. Sincere condolences to her family for their loss.