Dorothea Parker Explained

Dorrie Parker
Birth Name:Mary Dorothea Parker
Birth Date:10 August 1928
Spouse:Reg Smith
Relatives:Clem Parker (brother)
Country:New Zealand
Sport:Athletics
Event:Sprint
Pb:100 m – 12.0 (1950)
200 m – 24.6 (1950)[1]
Show-Medals:yes

Mary Dorothea Smith (née Parker; 10 August 1928 – 24 December 1993) was a New Zealand sprinter. At the 1950 British Empire Games she won a silver medal in the 440 yards relay, alongside Shirley Hardman and Lesley Rowe. She also ran in the 100 yard, 220 yard, and 660 yard relay, placing fourth in each event. She was overlooked for the 1954 British Empire Games at Vancouver, where results indicate that she could have been a finalist.[2]

She was married to former Waikato rugby and basketball representative Reg Smith; they had seven children. Parker died of cancer, aged 65, on 24 December 1993.[3] Her brother Clem Parker also won a bronze medal in a sprint relay at the 1950 British Empire Games.

Notes and References

  1. http://trackfield.brinkster.net/Profile.asp?ID=2042&Gender=W Dorrie Parker
  2. Book: Clark, John . Athletes at the Games . Athletics New Zealand . 1998 . 0473-05498-1 . 98.
  3. News: Maryanne . Twentyman . 4 May 2012 . Veteran has roast duck in his sights as season starts . . 20 July 2021.