BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – Doreen was born on Dec. 4, 1927, to George Thumwood and Ethel Mayne, in London, England. She left this world on March 15, 2026, at the age of 98.
Doreen was a young girl at the beginning of World War II. She was part of Operation Pied Piper, where more than 1.5 million people, mostly schoolchildren, were moved from their homes and families to the countryside to escape the German bombing raids. Eventually, she was able to move back to her family. She loved going to the movies and dancing.
Doreen met her husband-to-be, an American soldier, on a blind date at the changing of the guard outside Buckingham Palace in London, in 1945. Many things were hard to come by at the time, but Charles made sure his “Shorty” had plenty of chocolate and oranges – two of her most favorite things.
They married on April 29, 1946, in London, and had a life together for 70 years, until Charles passed away in 2016.
Doreen came to America on the Queen Mary I with other English “war brides,” as they were called. She went to her husband’s hometown of Bellows Falls, Vt. She always loved the town, and especially the Connecticut River. It reminded her of home by the River Thames.
Doreen loved her tea and cookies, and felt that they were the cure-all for everything. When served, she would happily say “yum yum!”
Doreen worked for several stores in Bellows Falls, but her favorite of all was the Rockingham Library. She was an avid reader. She would have several books going at once. We think she read every book there. She worked until 80 years of age.
Doreen had a good and kind soul. She had a smile for everyone she met. She loved spending time with her family.
She is survived by her daughters, Doreen (Dennis) Rochester and Marie Laplante (Terrence Ryan); and her beloved grandchildren, Joshua (Amanda), Jordan, David (Beth), and Brenna. She was blessed to have three great-grandchildren, Adam, Matthew, and Hudson, and many fondly thought-of nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Charles, her brother, Edward, and her parents.
We would like to send a special thank-you to the Springfield Center for Living and Rehab for the loving care they gave her. Special thanks to Holly, Dan, Chelsea, and all the other aides; and nurses Tony and Trevor, for always bringing a smile to her face.
There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on April 18, at 11 a.m., at St. Charles Church. Burial will follow in St. Charles Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rockingham Library, or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Doreen would like to leave you with this: “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey, you’ll never know dear, how much I love you.”
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, Vt.