Dorset was manager, director and programme designer for more than 20 years of the Te Akatea Iwi Tauawhi Trust, which specialises in the prevention of child abuse and family violence.
She was a member of the Parole Board from 2002 to 2009, was a member of the Waikeria Prison Board and the Rotorua Prisoners' Families Network Support group and worked intensively with generations of the victims of abuse, teaching them communication and listening skills.
A qualified nurse and midwife, she also had a degree in psychology. She was a Rotorua Girls' High School trustee and was the secretary for several years of Te Papaiouru Marae including during the time it fundraised to get a new wharekai.
With her late husband, well-known publican Richard (Dick) Dorset, they represented New Zealand at Expo '70 in Osaka in Japan.
But it was her actions in 1984 while being a Maatua Whangai officer in Rotorua that perhaps epitomised the person she was.
Grace Dorset in her younger days. Photo / Supplied
Jacob Green told the Rotorua Daily Post he was 15 at the time and was homeless, living around the Lakefront and Kuirau Park areas and had no one.
He was introduced to the Dorsets and they took Green under their wing and raised him as their own.
Grace Dorset not long before she died. Photo / Supplied
Green said they "practically" saved his life and turned his future around just by showing love and support.
Green, who called the Dorsets mum and dad, said he went on to help run the couple's many businesses, including Malfroys Tavern, a guest house and Dorset's trust where he also did social work. Green now worked for Red Stag.
Grace Dorset in her younger days. Photo / Supplied
"What she did for me was typical of Mum over the years and what I saw watching her. She was a doer and she surrounded herself with doers."
Dorset's daughter, Karamea Dorset, said her mother was left devastated when her husband was diagnosed with cancer and died a very short time later in November 2018. Dorset had fallen and broken her femur and was in hospital, unable to be with her dying husband.
"He got sick very quickly and could only see her a couple of times before he died ... She was deeply traumatised by the fact she was in hospital."
Grace Dorset in her younger days. Photo / Supplied
Not long after his death, Karamea took Dorset to live with her and her adult daughter, Savannah, in Wellington.
She said they had spent the last three years together and it was "precious" time.
Grace Dorset in her younger days. Photo / Supplied
"She was very much loved and we spoilt her rotten and it was a beautiful time I'll never regret."
Karamea said her illness got worse from about August last year when she needed fulltime care but her daughter spent every day with her and the three generations would spend entire weekends together.
"We'd sleep there at weekends and were with her constantly for the last three weeks. She was holding my hand when he just slipped away."
Grace Dorset in her younger days. Photo / Supplied
Grace Dorset (nee Smith) * Born in Lower Hutt 1935. * Educated at Rotorua Primary, moving to Rotorua High and Grammar School, Wellington East Girls' College, Teachers Training College, mental health nurse training, midwifery-related training Rotorua and Auckland * Married to Richard John (Dick) and had children Kerry Te Mana, Anne Gerrard, Karamea Dorset, Richie Tolich and Jacob Green (raised as whangai).
