Doreen’s early life in Oakhill began without the luxury of a loving resident father, but with the adoration of a grandfather, grandmother and a devoted mother, Ada Pritchard, who worked as a seamstress both at home and at William Fleet’s furnishing store in Stoke. Life was made interesting by family trips to Blackpool and to her Uncle Carmen’s farm at Scholar Green. Her grandfather was her role-model, but she also looked forward to visits from her Uncle Jack who had made a successful life in Leeds. Subsequently, Doreen benefitted by the support of Pastor who lived nearby, and who eventually gave her away at her marriage; all kind male figures who replaced her father. Doreen achieved success by passing the scholarship exam to go to High School which gave her the opportunity to excel at French and Maths, as well as to wear the stunning Brownhill’s uniform with straw boater. WWII was declared on her 16th birthday. The Bank of England occupied Trentham Hall during the war and, during Doreen’s work there for the Midland Bank, she met Wilf. At Trentham they both made several important and enduring friendships. They shared many happy times and grew strong together, accepting Wilf’s enlistment and subsequent tour of duty in India, celebrating their engagement in Inverness before his departure in 1944. Doreen and Wilf married in 1949 and lived with Ada, Doreen’s mother in Oakhill where Helen, their daughter, was born in 1954. In 1971 they moved to Clayton where they were able to share their enjoyment of gardening, and were able to offer a home to a couple of tortoises and little Katie dog. In addition to many happy times over the years spent at their caravan in Wales, they also enjoyed holidays abroad which were shared eventually by their wonderful grandchildren Owain and Mai; generous holidays which were enriching and memorable. Sadly, Doreen hardly had a chance to get to know Mai’s partner Ben Briggs. Nor did she really know Ruth McGrath who is the mother of Owain’s lovely son Oscar Jones, Doreen’s great-grandson. Doreen was a talented homemaker, a fantastic cook, but also good at most handicrafts and gardening. She had been very skilled in Botany at school and knew all the names of wild flowers which were her special love. Her work in the 50s at the Midlands Electricity Board in Accounts eventually gave way to working for the family business until, at the age of fifty, she began support work for children with disabilities. Sadly, after retirement she developed Parkinson’s disease but dealt with it resolutely until her mobility began to become affected. Her friendships have been lifelong and have, like her immediate family relationships, been conducted with much love and honesty.