Red Deer’s Dorothy Haynes-Walsh passed away at the age of 83 last month, leaving behind a tremendous legacy in the world of auctioneering.
Haynes-Walsh was the first female auctioneer to win the Auctioneers Association of Alberta’s Tyro Auctioneering Competition trophy. She was also awarded the lifetime achievement award and a 50-year member pin from the association.
Linda Baggaley, Haynes-Walsh’s daughter, who is also an auctioneer, said her mother was an inspiration for women in the industry.
“It was a very male-dominated business, even when I went through auction school in 1976 – there’s just a handful of women who have done it as a full-time occupation. Mom really was a trailblazer for the women in this industry,” Baggaley said Thursday.
Born on a small farm in North Battleford, Sask., Haynes-Walsh moved to British Columbia and began working at a local coffee shop in Surrey. After being let go by the coffee shop, she got a job at a drug store.
While working at that drug store, she met Bud Haynes, who would become her husband. They had two daughters and eventually moved to Red Deer.
The married couple founded Bud Haynes and Co. Auctioneers in 1966 – in 2013, the company merged with Ward’s Auctions, which is based in Edmonton. At first, Haynes was the only auctioneer in the couple, but he taught his wife the craft as well.
Both became instructors at the first western school of auctioneering in the 1970s, teaching hundreds of students over the years.
While teaching, Haynes-Walsh taught the mother of Brad Ward, who is their business partner from Ward’s Auctions.
In 2016, Haynes passed away. Haynes-Walsh married old family friend Ken Walsh, who was also widowed.
Baggaley said despite being so busy with work, her mother was always so giving to her family and community.
“My mom came from humble beginnings … and she was a very humble person,” said Baggaley.
“She loved people, she loved the auction business and loved her family. Even though she was busy, she didn’t miss anything with the grandkids. It’s hard to put it all in a nutshell. She was an amazing woman who touched a lot of lives and helped a lot of people.”
Haynes-Walsh is survived by her husband Ken Walsh, daughters: Linda (Jim) Baggaley, grandchildren Thomas and Alayne Baggaley, Rae (Fred) Carswell, grandchildren Kyle (Emily), Katey (great-grandson Kaleb) Carswell; son by choice Shun (Karen) Sonnenberg, step-son Brad Walsh; step-grandson Chase Walsh; step-daughters Vicky and Anna; nephew Sandy Reid; niece Laurie Dutcher as well as numerous family and friends.
A service to celebrate her life will be held at the Deer Park Alliance Church on Friday at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to the Salvation Army or The Lending Cupboard Society. Condolences to her family can be emailed to meaningful@telus.net.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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