Mrs Desirée Cockfield

Mrs Desirée Cockfield, who died peacefully at King’s Castle Nursing Home, Ardglass, on May 15 was a remarkable woman who touched the lives of many people through untold acts of kindness, charity and service to the community in the Downpatrick area and further afield.

She was 96 and up until relatively recently lived her life at a pace which few could emulate. Always full of energy and endeavour, she was a whirlwind of activity, always ready to lend a helping hand and always willing to offer sound advice.

She will be perhaps best remembered for her service to the Girl Guide movement, in which she played a leading 

role for many years, and to Scouting, in which she was an invaluable support to her late husband, Jim. She had a great affinity with young people and took great delight in watching them develop and mature.

Known as Des, she was born in Dublin on March 27, 1920. Not long afterwards she and her family moved north and settled in Helens Bay. After her schooling she returned to Dublin to study law at Trinity College. 

However, she soon decided that law would not be her chosen career and instead trained to become a social worker.

During the war years she met her future husband, Jim Cockfield, a soldier in the Royal Artillery, who was stationed at Greypoint Fort close to her home. 

The couple married on September 20, 1945, and lived in various towns across the province before settling at The Quoile outside Downpatrick.

She quickly immersed herself in many aspects of community life. She was devoted to Guiding and Scouting, helping Jim at the Scout troop at Inch where she became a Cub leader and District Badge Secretary.

In 1960 the couple were blessed with the arrival of their son, David, to whom they were devoted. Mrs Cockfield was delighted when David met and married Allyson. The later arrival of two grandsons, James and Niall, brought yet more happiness and joy.

Mrs Cockfield was deeply involved in many charities and hosted countless fund-raising events for worthy causes. She was committed to War on Want and was delighted to be awarded a 40-year service certificate last year.

She was a canteen supervisor at Down High School and a member of the board of governors of Downpatrick Primary School. She also somehow managed to find the time to write a youth column for the Down Recorder.

Mrs Cockfield was a strong character, who was also gracious, kind and utterly dependable. She was dutiful and faithful in Christian service and had a wonderful life.

The Rev Stephen Smyth conducted the funeral service in Inch Parish Church on Thursday, May 19, which was followed by the committal at Roselawn Crematorium.

The sympathy of the community is extended to her sorrowing family.