Doreen Margaret Phillips

Born in 1941 daughter of Ernest and Alice Bartlett, Doreen was brought up in Dagenham with her two brothers Ron and Ken.

She lost her own mother when she was 13 and her father later re-married Rose with whom she had a very loving caring relationship.

She married in 1961 she had three children: Carol, Sandra and Simon.

Her early working days were for Singer sewing machines in their sales shop, Romford. Ironically, it was the same shop that years later she owned and ran her own carpet business.

Later on she and her husband started their own wholesale carpet business. It was very successful and for those who knew her, she was the real brains behind the business for which she had phenomenal intuition.

Doreen was an exceptional lady who balanced running a business, bringing up three children and running a home.

She loved to travel and enjoyed Europe and later in her life visited Barbados, USA, Thailand, Hong Kong, Philippines and South Africa to be with her grand-daughter Sophie.

In her mid-fifties she embarked on a new career as a home care assistant.

She loved looking after people and had her round of ladies. She was occasionally accompanied by her grand-son Ryan who remembers these times fondly. She brightened up the lives of those she cared for.

At 60, she had renal failure and started kidney dialysis treatment

She had 10 years of dialysis which unfortunately brought its complications. She spent many days unwell or just not right. Her courage and strength did not falter. She never complained or asked why me? She pottered on and made sure her good days were fulfilled.

Carol, Sandra and Simon would like to especially mention and thank all the nurses and doctors in the various renal units who cared for her. Also, to her many friends at the Queens dialysis unit who she was very fond of. Her friends were a great comfort to her and we would like to mention Rita, Dennis, Beryl and Derek with whom she shared a life time of friendship.She enjoyed their regular lunches and they were always there for her. Thank-you for all your support.

She had a passion for gardening and every garden she touched was blessed by her green fingers. Her gardens always looked magnificent, full of colour and bloom. It gave her so much pleasure. We are sad that she won’t be there to see what she has planted this year, but we will grow your bulbs and enjoy your plants in our gardens.

Her real love was her family and she was devoted to her six grand-children : Laura, Ryan, Emily, Lucy, James and Sophie. She loved them so much. She was very kind to them and loved visiting them or having them at her house. She was so proud of them telling her friends locally and at dialysis of their achievements and what they had been up to.

She passed away peacefully during her sleep.

She will be missed so much by so many.