Doreen Young

Doreen was born in Nottingham on the 8^th of November 1933. Her formative years were during World War 2 and the immediate post war era. She was an only child, and her father spent much of the war overseas. At the age of 10 she won a free scholarship to the fee-paying girls high school where she prospered. At the age of 16 she passed her school certificate, left school and began work in an office. By the age of 18 she was outgoing, attractive, and had the capacity to make friends easily. She practised to become a proficient ice skater and joined an amateur theatre company.

Around this time she decided to spread her wings and become a nurse. To the family’s consternation she went for the teaching Hospitals in London, first St. Thomas’s, which had a height requirement of five foot 4. Guys was more realistic at 5 foot. They measured her at 4 foot 11 1/2 inches but took her anyway. Within three years she had studied to become a state registered nurse in 1957 and she headed for the John Radcliffe Hospital to become a trained midwife.

There she met her future husband Bill. When his work took him to Liverpool she immediately got a post, first at Walton hospital and after a matter of months aged 24 she was appointed ward ward sister at the Women's Hospital. She became engaged to Bill in December 1957. He was transferred to Doncaster and she moved to Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Doreen and bill were married in September 1958. They bought a house and, though broke, loved life together. In the fullness of time they had two sons whom she adored and they moved on up the property ladder. If she hadn't married Bill she would undoubtedly have continued to work in hospitals and established her career. She took a year’s course at Leeds University and qualified as a health visitor. When she and the family moved to the Isle she worked steadily until she retired aged 59.

Characteristically wherever she went she made friends and helped to organise. She and Bill moved from Doncaster to Bawtry in 1963 where she formed a group of women into the Bawtry ladies group. Ten years later when they move to Haxey a similar group was formed which met socially on a monthly basis. It was still going in 2012 when she moved to Crowle. In Haxey she joined the badminton club and played with enthusiasm. She joined the Epworth flower club and before long was its chairwoman, and during which time they hosted BBC gardeners question time.

During all this time she supported the family in all sorts of ways. Homes were furnished, walls knocked down, French windows put in, kitchens appeared and disappeared. Holidays were booked, drives were laid - the list goes on, and Bill loved her ever more.

Inevitably the years took their toll, she had operations and broke her back in the early 1980s. She has a stroke in 2001 and a massive one in 2017 followed by a fall which fractured her pelvis and spine. Further ailments associated with ageing followed which hampered her mobility and confidence, but she maintained her positive attitude to life - she accepted her lot and rarely complained.

She was a much loved wife mother and grandmother and her family thank God that she was with them.