Memorable Manitobans: Willaphene Minnie Dorsey “Willa” McRae (1891-1982)

Educator.

Born in the Rural Municipality of Oakland on 16 June 1891, daughter of Emma Rogers Wallwin [Walwin] (1853-1940) and William S. Dorsey (1845-1911), she grew up on the family farmstead at 24-3-28W, attended teacher training, and became an educator. She taught at Lorndale School (1912), Robinville School (1912-1913), Glenboro School (1914-1916), Boissevain School (1917-1918), and was Principal of Elva School (1918-1919). On 22 December 1920, married Colin Alexander McRae (1895-1975) at Brandon and they resided at 25-3-28W (1926) near her parents. She later moved to British Columbia where she died at Chilliwack on 30 September 1982 with burial at Victory Memorial Park in Surrey.

Sources:

1901 and 1911 Canada censuses, Automated Genealogy.

1926 Canada census, Library and Archives Canada.

Birth registrations [Willaphene Minn Dorsey, Willapheme Minnie], Manitoba Vital Statistics.

Marriage registrations [Willa Minnie Dorsay, Colin Alexander McRae], Manitoba Vital Statistics.

Death registrations [Colin Alexander McRae, Willaphene Minnie McRae], British Columbia Vital Statistics.

“Pioneer of Brandon was victim of cancer,” Brandon Daily Sun, 24 November 1911, page 2.

“Engagement announced [Mrs. Dorsey of Brandon ...],” Brandon Daily Sun, 20 December 1920, page 6.

Methven Cemetery burial transcriptions, FindAGrave.

Victory Memorial Park [Surrey] burial transcriptions, FindAGrave.

This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.

Page revised: 16 February 2026

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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