Doris Ann Shaw (24 Nov 1953 - 29 Apr 2017)

In loving memory of Doris Ann Shaw who sadly passed away on 29th April 2017 Doris Ann was loved by her family and much respected by friends
and colleagues alike. She worked hard and was extremely
knowledgeable. She could turn her hand to just about anything and
was always willing to help others in whatever way she could.
The strong tree in Doris Ann’s life was her family, her base and
roots from which everything grew. Let’s now take a stroll through
Doris Ann’s life and reflect on its wonders.
Doris Ann was born on 24th November 1953 in South Shields to
her parents David and Doris, being the only child in the family.
Little is known of Doris Ann’s childhood yet no doubt she would
experience the same knocks and scrapes we have all endured.
Doris Ann did recall enjoying holidays together with her parents at
Butlins located in Ayr Scotland, with many happy times
remembered by Doris Ann.
Doris Ann would attend the Biddick Hall Junior School, and later
the Brinkburn Comprehensive before completing her schooling at
Chuter Ede Comprehensive all located within South Shields.
On leaving school Doris Ann followed her ambition to become a
hairdresser completing her apprenticeship at Fenwicks
hairdressers within Newcastle.
In 1970 father David worked as a Coal Miner, with good working
prospects at Calverton Colliery in Nottinghamshire, the family
moved to Holmefield Avenue in Arnold.
Doris Ann now holding a natural ability as a hairdresser found work
in a salon on Haydn Road Sherwood.
Doris Ann in these years was proud to welcome her children Paul,
Mandy, and Belinda in to the family, with Doris Ann finishing her
paid work as a hairdresser to care for her children. Doris Ann being responsible for her children now worked within
local bars during several evenings to sustain the family budget,
spending the majority of her time caring for her children. Doris Ann
in these years would work extremely hard ensuring that her
children had everything necessary in their lives, balancing well the
relationship between work and her family.
Good times were enjoyed during these years with Jackie, a close
friend of 47 years. On one occasion Doris Ann cut Jackie’s hair,
and dyed her hair red, in the skin head style. Such was the
creation at Jackie’s request I understand that Doris Ann had to
hide from Jackie’s mum until she had calmed a little shall we say.
There have been many beers enjoyed together in Arnold and
Nottingham in good old fashioned friendship
Jackie and Doris Ann would baby sit for one another, enjoying
many happy times with Picnics at the Bulwell Lido, together with
day trips out to Skegness and Mablethorpe, happy times with
many treasured memories.
In 1983 life changed for Doris Ann when she would meet the man
with who she would spend the rest of her life with Paul Twells. Now
Doris Ann was the Captain of the Druids Pool Team with Paul a
team member. I understand Doris Ann would be involved within the
Pool Team for a good many years not always Captain yet Doris
Ann with an outgoing and friendly personality always held a pivotal
role.
The relationship with Paul blossomed becoming life’s partners with
accommodation found together at Ashdale Road, Sibson Walk,
and latterly for some 20 years at Killisick Road which remains the
family home today.
Doris Ann continued to work at local pubs in a variety of roles
remembered at The Longbow, The Nelson, and later The Cross
Keys, where after leaving Doris moved on to work at Ladbrookes
in Arnold. Work was then found at a variety of Nursing Homes including
Loreto Cottage and Orla House where Doris Ann would work with
patients being mentally impaired finding the work extremely
rewarding.
A move to the Bear Factory in the Victoria Centre was followed by
a return to Arnold working at the Asda Superstore. Here Doris Ann
would perform a variety of roles, making many good friends, who
through recent times have provided constant support in love and
friendship, much appreciated by Doris Ann and her family.
Doris Ann was a lady of many talents with a real ability with the
arts and crafts. Doris Ann loved painting ceramic pots, a friend
owned a local studio where Doris Ann would spend many hours
painting and firing the pots of her creation.
Cross stitch and knitting were also a much loved pastime with
Doris Ann remembered creating Mermaids Tails for the
Grandchildren.
Specialist tools were purchased to enjoy the unique art of egg
sculpturing together with decoupage, and paper folding using old
books to make Christmas Tree decorations.
These hobbies showed a gentle and patient personality and Doris
Ann typically generous donating the products of her hobby to
family and friends, for their enjoyment and to use as gifts.
Now, for Doris Ann a cherished present was her Kindle, using the
new technology to enjoy her love of reading especially crime
books, by James Patterson, or anything by Steven King, and Stig
Larson. If the Kindle was switched on then for Doris Ann the
television would be put outside the back door, this was another
passion for her. However television was a source of entertainment with
Eastenders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and Game of Thrones
entertaining. Any programme hosted by the Geordie Boys, Ant &
Dec, Doris Ann loved, taking her back to her roots. Period Dramas
were also enjoyed especially those by Catherine Cookson.
The comedian of choice had to be Lee Mack, with Doris Ann
having seen Michael Macintyre and Bill Bailey at the Motorpoint
Arena.
On one occasion Doris Ann did find fame in the Nottingham
Evening Post, it all related to a fire or smoke in the homestead with
son Paul, having a Tarantula Spider which escaped in the drama.
The Rufty Tufty Fireman flatly refused to recover the Spider with
Doris Ann able to recover the wandering Miss Muffet. Doris Ann
was later photographed with the Tarantula meandering up her arm
without a flinch, credit due to you Doris Ann for that one.
Doris Ann had a love of our Canine friends, often being recalled
venturing out for a cup of tea with a friend and returning with a new
family member tucked under her arm, over the years Kim, Ben,
Bruno, Ginny and Saba, have been much loved by Doris Ann and
her family.
Holidays were spent in more recent years in Spain with daughter
Mandy and her family husband Richard, and children, visiting
regularly for a holiday each year.
Mexico was enjoyed in 2009, together with many yearly cottage
holidays within the UK which the dogs were also able to enjoy.
Trips home to South Shields were made to visit the extended
family Cousins George and Denise, never missing an opportunity
to walk along South Shields front with Fish and Chips.
With the passing of the years Doris Ann became a much loved
Nanna to Grandchildren Lily Rose, Archie David, Penny, Harry, and
Isla, Kyle, Ben, Sheralee, Keva, and Kayla, together with more
recently Great Granddaughter Lee, of whom Doris Ann was
equally proud together with their achievements in life. One occasion is recalled at a Monster Truck Fest in Spain, the
show hosts wanting volunteers to ride in the stunt car, naturally
Doris Ann volunteered, to shouts of “Go Nanna” the wheels span
with flames from the back of the truck, all in a day of being a
Nanna, returning to cheers of “Super Nanna”
Doris Ann we could describe as a forthright lady, who loved life and
laughter, mixed in with the good times, a lady who remained
positive throughout her life always grateful for what she was
blessed with, providing a loving and caring family home. Doris Ann
became the much loved and well respected centrepiece of her
family, a lady who will be greatly missed by one and all.