Jacquelyn (Jackie) Dorr, 1946-2026

The mining and minerals community mourns the passing of Jackie Dorr, a distinguished professional, mentor and longtime employee of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME). Dorr passed away peacefully on June 5, 2026, at the age of 79. For more than four decades, Dorr dedicated her career to advancing education about the mining and minerals industries. She began her career at the Minerals Information Institute (Mii), where she provided free educational materials to K–12 teachers to promote accurate instruction about mining and minerals. Dorr, together with Dave Kanagy, former executive director of SME, helped facilitate the acquisition of Mii by SME, ultimately leading to the creation of the Minerals Education Coalition (MEC). “As former Executive Director of the Mineral Information Institute, Jackie was instrumental in making sure Mii smoothly transitioned to SME’s new Minerals Education Coalition,” said John Hayden, SME member and former Director of Public Relations. “Her experience and leadership at Mii were recognized as she transitioned to a new leadership role in MEC. She will always be remembered as synonymous with mining and mineral education. A consummate professional.” During her 17 years with SME, Dorr filled many vital roles. She first served as manager of the Minerals Education Coalition, where she coordinated the Mii merger, led the rebranding of educational materials, oversaw the development of new web pages and expanded outreach to the broader community. Later, as manager of special projects, she oversaw the SME podcast series, established SME’s tax-exempt status with Arapahoe County in Colorado, served as liaison to the Environmental Division, orchestrated its annual silent auction to raise scholarship funds and coordinated the annual poster contest. She was known for wearing many hats and was always willing to serve others. She retired from SME in 2023. As a longtime member of the Women in Mining (WIM) board of directors, Dorr served as president in 2017. She was an unwavering volunteer, working the WIM booth every four years at the International MINExpo in Las Vegas, NV, beginning in 1996 and continuing for two decades. In addition to representing WIM at conferences and conventions, she spoke at numerous regional Science Teachers Association workshops and short courses and served on discussion panels for MEC. “She had the poise of an ambassador in her various roles with WIM, which won over so many who crossed her path,” Scotty Norman, WIM board member, remembers fondly. “She had the utmost respect of the industry at large in addition to that of her fellow WIM members. Jackie’s advocacy for the mining industry and minerals education, in particular, was unmatched.” Mining National Distinguished Service Award Until her passing, Dorr also served on the board of the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum in Leadville, CO. For more than 30 years, she served in many volunteer roles, and she was instrumental in the annual planning and execution of the induction and awards banquet. She was passionate about honoring the best of the mining community. Dorr received the Mining National Distinguished Service Award in 1997. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she was an avid gardener, birdwatcher, devoted mother and proud grandmother. She found great joy in spending time with her family and inspiring others to pursue both professional excellence and personal fulfillment. Jackie is survived by her two sons, Gary and Ron, and five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. We extend our deepest condolences to Dorr’s family, friends, colleagues and the many members whose lives she touched. Her legacy will continue through the professionals she mentored, the educational initiatives she helped advance, and the enduring example she set for our community. We honor Dorr’s remarkable life and thank her for her extraordinary contributions to the mining and minerals industries she served so faithfully. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the WIM Education Foundation, c/o Carol Kiser, 5155 W. Quincy Ave F104, Denver, CO 80236 or to the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum, Leadville, CO.

Jacquelyn (Jackie) Dorr, 1946-2026

Authored by: AnnMarie Priest

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To view the past issues of the UCA magazine you must be a member of SME/UCA.

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