Mrs Rosaleen Doran

MRS Rosaleen Doran (née Drake), who passed peacefully in Slieve Dhu Nursing Home, Newcastle, on February 6, was the first born daughter of George and Rose Drake.

With her mother and sisters Monica and Georgina, she spent her early days in Saintfield after the loss of their beloved father in 1939.

In what she fondly recounted as an idyllic, if somewhat tomboyish childhood with adventures told of running along railway tracks, the young fatherless family played out the story made real of the famous children’s story ‘The Railway Children’.

Daring but respectful expeditions were undertaken to the beautiful Rowallane Gardens and surrounding area of Leggygowan.

How joyous was this childhood idyll is recorded in Rosaleen’s book “A Saintfield Memoir” (available on-line at www.A Saintfield Memoir) which was launched at Saintfield Library in the summer of 2009.

As a pleasant follow up to the book’s launch people from all over the world linked to Saintfield favourably commented upon the accuracy of the town’s then layout and the characters featured in the memoir.

Educated at Fortwilliam Dominican College in Belfast, Rosaleen excelled in examinations and with the guidance of a gifted art teacher developed a life-long interest and practitioner of the creative arts.

Rosaleen adored The Mournes and in particular the Trassey Valley. Spellbinding pictures painted of the area take pride of place in many homes.

Her children were introduced to all of the great artists and knew the difference between Monet and Manet. They listened to Edith Piaf recordings and could appreciate them even though to this day none of them are fluent in French.

On leaving school with excellent grades Rosaleen qualified as a radiographer and set out in her professional life. Always professional and a stickler for standards from her early practice at Downe Hospital, the Royal Victoria and then Mater hospitals, she always presented empathy and consideration for every patient in her care.

In that role Rosaleen, with fellow practitioners, attended the many casualties of atrocities that we as a community were cursed with.

On the very few occasions on which she referred to it her family were left in no doubt as to the horrors she had witnessed.

Her inherent Christianity and kindness, however, never allowed her or her family to give into despair even when such awfulness was visited upon her own family.

It gave her considerable pleasure that her granddaughter, Emma, followed her into the medical profession as a child heart transplant nurse.

In 1958 Rosaleen married Jimmy Doran of Tannaghmore, Loughinisland and four children were born — Seamus, Peter, Rose Mary and George. As dedicated parents they valued education and made many personal sacrifices to ensure their children were provided with the best schooling available.

In 1973, at the request of the distinguished Dr George Edelstyn, Rosaleen was instrumental in establishing what has now become Northern Ireland’s leading breast cancer charity, Action Cancer.

In a dynamic collaboration with her beloved husband, a successful property business was built in often very difficult circumstances in North Belfast. Many tenants and neighbours can testify to the kindness and consideration that they offered to disadvantaged people who came into their orbit in this capacity.

With thoughts of retirement Rosaleen entirely supported her husband’s desire to retire to South Down and with typical energy and enthusiasm ensured that a beautiful home was built to her own design in the townland of Tannaghmore.

Unfortunately Jimmy’s sudden and unexpected death in August 2007 and, a month thereafter, Rosaleen’s severe stroke curtailed what should have been a long and happy retirement.

With the loving and careful care of her daughter, Rose Mary, and son Peter, and the support of her other sons, George and Seamus, Rosaleen continued to play an active part in the family’s lives and entertainments. 

In time Rosaleen took up residence in Slieve Dhu Nursing Home where she received excellent care and loving consideration from its staff and Eucharistic ministers that attended upon her.

Rosaleen, as was her due, was gifted shortly before her peaceful passing with the knowledge of a beautiful great grandchild, Phoebe Rose, whose presence now gives comfort. Rosaleen was a loving and inspirational grandmother to her four grandchildren, Christopher, Emma, Michael and Ciaran.

In a long and rewarding life of dedication, productivity, contemplation, entertainment and loving presence, Rosaleen made her mark and never gave up.

May she rest now in peace beside her life partner, husband Jimmy, in the knowledge that she will be much missed and valued by her family and many friends in the years going forward.

She sowed plenty and bountiful was her harvest. “Have imagination,” she would advise. “Someday it will comfort you,” and so it does. 

She will remain with us always forever and a day.