Obituary of my mother, who died in January 2012

Dorothy Smale (1922 – 2012)

I am one of the many fortunate people who have had ‘the best parents in the world’.  I say parents, because no eulogy about Dorothy would be complete without mentioning Jack, her late husband, work partner and companion for over 56 years.

The eldest of three daughters, Dorothy was born at Loftsholme Farm, Howden, in the former East Riding of Yorkshire, and had a happy childhood.  When called up during the War, she trained as a State Registered Nurse, working in Leicester and London. But it was whilst working in Leeds that she met her future husband, sitting next to him on a coach trip home to Scarborough.  Jack was a fisherman from Devon who was up in Leeds collecting a new diesel engine for the family’s boat. 

The couple began married life living with the rest of the family on a converted Brixham Trawler, moored opposite Plymouth, and it was whilst living there that I was born.

When Jack damaged his back fishing they took on a tenancy at a local pub.  They decided to stay in the trade and, over the next thirty years, with Jack’s mother Bunty, owned and ran several places in the South East Cornwall area, including renovating an old boys’ school in Dobwalls and turning it into a thriving inn.

Jack and Dorothy were active in Rotary International, the Hospital Car Service, also Cancer Research and the Arthritis & Rheumatism Charity.   They enjoyed golf, gardening, music and sea fishing together.

Dorothy was a very keen member of the WI, and was a National Trust Steward at Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire.  An excellent cook, Dorothy was also fond of flower arranging and scrabble.

Fiona and Vicky were very lucky to have such a super Granma, and appreciated their Grandparents moving up to the Midlands to be near them whilst they were growing up.

Over the years, Dorothy travelled all over the world, including Australia, US, Russia, Thailand, Singapore, South Africa most of Europe - and even walked on the Great Wall of China at the age of 78.

 

Dorothy and Jack at the Highway Inn, Dobwalls, with his Mum (1960s)

Eventually, Dorothy looked after Jack for a long time before he died six years ago after which, to feel more secure, she moved with us to Paignton.  Since then, Dorothy’s health has gradually deteriorated and, after a short spell in hospital, Dorothy died last Friday at about tea time.

My mother was cheerful, determined, fun and kind to all, she was a friend as well as my mother, and she will be hugely missed by family and friends.