Doreen Mary Gibson

Of your charity please pray for the repose of the soul of Doreen who passed away peacefully on 17th November 2023 aged 92 years at Queen Lodge Care Home and of Langho. The beloved wife of the late Vincent, much loved mother of the late Michael and the late Bernadette, cherished nana of Bethan, great-nana of Evie and also a dearly loved auntie, relative and friend.

Doreen grew up on Ramsgreave Drive in Blackburn and enjoyed a happy childhood in what was in those days a rural setting of green fields and dairy farms. Her father owned a sports shop in Blackburn and almost inevitably Doreen was active and sporty and enjoyed the outdoor life.

As a young girl from the age of seven, Doreen had enjoyed riding her bike for leisure. By the time she was 18 she had joined the local Catholic cycling club of St Christopher’s and pursued a more serious involvement in the sport. She regularly toured with the group and participated in many of the races and competitive events that were held and won several of the categories she entered for.

In 1951 she signed up for the Blackburn Centenary Hill Climb and succeeded in cycling up the appropriately named Shear Brow. Out of 37 competitors she was the lone female entrant and in recognition of her achievement was presented with a special bouquet by the Mayoress and was featured in the local press coverage of the event.

The event was watched by an estimated 7000 spectators. Perhaps more significantly though she had attracted the attention of another keen cyclist called Vincent, her future husband.

Doreen and Vincent enjoyed four years of cycling courtship that culminated in their first holiday abroad, a cycling holiday in the Pyrenees and included a special visit to Lourdes.

They were married in 1955 and in their leisure time continued to enjoy the outdoor life of cycling, camping, youth hostelling and ‘bed and breakfast’ holidays.
Despite all this, Doreen recalled that it was in 1962 when she experienced her most magical moment to date when they travelled to Southport to collect Michael, the baby boy they were adopting. They had waited seven and a half years for a family and at last they were one. This magical experience was again repeated two years later when they completed their family with the adoption and arrival of Bernadette.
Doreen had so much love to give and adopting the children provided her with so much personal ambition, happiness and fulfillment and she knew that they could raise the children in a loving stable home and within a family that would serve them well.
Outdoor holidays continued to figure prominently in their family life and over the years progressed from camping to caravanning. They bought their own caravan in 1979 and for the next thirty years caravanning became the main leisure activity for the family and then continued well into Doreen and Vincent’s retirement years. They gained great pleasure from it and also the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Europe.

Doreen had attended Notre Dame Convent Grammar School in her youth, but prior to that as a younger child she had attended St Mary’s Infant’s school in Langho and was very familiar with the village. In 1960, she and Vincent bought the bungalow in Langho which was to be their ‘forever’ home and it has served them well for over sixty years.
They enjoyed village life and particularly loved the Catholic parish community of St. Mary’s. Doreen involved herself in the promotion and collecting work of the Mill Hill Missions for over 35 years and in 2001 received a certificate from the Association for the Propagation of the Faith for the service she had given.

She was also a member of the local Women’s Institute for many years, enjoying the involvement, the companionship and the activities that it presented.
Doreen was employed for many years as a Retail Sales Assistant. Primarily she worked in her parent’s sports outfitters shop on Northgate in Blackburn. She also gained further experience working on Bedford’s butcher’s stall in the old market in the town. Later in life she worked in Whalley serving in Shorrocks’ bread and cake shop which she thoroughly enjoyed.
Doreen has successfully lived and enjoyed a long, full and happy life, enriched with many rewarding experiences for which we can celebrate and be thankful.

Family flowers only please. Donations can be made in memory of Doreen on behalf of CAFOD. To make a donation please click ‘Make A Donation’ at the bottom of this page.

Please feel free to leave a message for Doreen’s online memorial book by completing the form below.

Michael Whiteside

Farewell to a resilient, inspirational and special auntie who loved family life. She also enjoyed the ‘great outdoors’ and shared full and active times that brought her many treasured memories. Rest in peace.

Alastair McCapra

Sending love and condolences to all of Doreen’s family and friends.

Jennifer Whiteside

Good night God bless Auntie Doreen. Rest in peace

Cheryl

Sending love and condolences

Tony Whiteside

Sorry Auntie Doreen that I cannot be there today to say my final farewell. I hope that you are now reunited with your family. May you rest in peace! Goodnight and God Bless