Doreen
Doreen has been described by those who knew her as amazing, a good friend, loyal, funny and good fun. She will long be remembered for that incredible laugh which has affectionately been described as sounding like a chicken laying an egg.
Doreen was outgoing and willing to talk to anyone. She had a personality that people of all ages were drawn to, a young personality that was fun to be around. Her niece Portia described her so wonderfully as someone who lit up a room. At any gathering she was the fun person in the room.
Friendship, which was so important to Doreen. She was so good at maintaining contact with her friends. As well as long standing friend Jean, Doreen also had a special friend Betty. They have known each other for such a long time and spoke on the phone every single day. When Doreen was unwell, they spent the day together, along with Debbie, and had lunch at Betty’s new home in Saffron Walden. It was a special day for all; a special day to remember.
She absolutely loved and had to be wearing her Max Factor or Loreal blusher and lipstick and never went out without them. She was a sun worshipper. She loved a drink, especially red and white wine, but was always willing to try anything. She liked a walk and loved a TV drama, particularly a murder mystery. And of course, we must mention her love of Cliff Richard who she saw in concert with Debbie. She enjoyed eating out, especially fine dining, but was equally happy with a coffee and a scone at a garden centre or meeting a friend for coffee in Greggs.
Doreen was an independent lady, a coper who thought of others and put others before herself. When she became ill, she remained stoical as she didn’t want anyone to be upset.
I would like to share some stories, of which there are many, involving Doreen,, who was often so funny without knowing it, who said it as it was and had a dry sense of humour.
One day she and Derek were having a day out. On the way they stopped to use the loos.
Doreen went down a bank but fell and actually rolled down it and had an “accident” on the way down. Covered in mud she returned to the car. Derek asked if they were still going out to which Doreen said certainly not and they had to return home.
We have already said that Doreen liked a drink, or two, and Debbie and Sue have many memories of a collapsed Doreen after a few too many.
Even at Arthur Rank Doreen brought a smile and laughter to those around her. Doreen, being a little agitated, wanted everything moved to her liking, including the position of her bed. She phoned Debbie to tell her the bed wasn’t working and asked Debbie to call the nurses to inform them. Doreen felt that it had been turned off on purpose. It transpired that the nurses had indeed turned it off as Doreen had played with it so much, she had raised the head and the foot of the bed and was trapped in a ‘V.
During one visit the conversation was about nail varnish. Doreen told Sue how much she hated her nail varnish. She asked her what colour it was and when Sue said bright neon green, Doreen came back with ‘Yeah like your teeth’. Only an older, and much loved, sister could get away with such a comment.
