Doreen Margaret Hedgcombe (5 Sep 1940 - 19 Apr 2019)

In loving memory of Doreen Margaret Hedgcombe who sadly passed away on 19th April 2019

Doreen was born in North London in September 1940, at the height of the blitz, to Evelyn and Harold Bentley, a Police Officer.

Her early years were spent alternating between her parents in Highbury and family in Barnsley, before settling back in Highbury after the end of the war.

After school she developed a strong desire to work in childcare and passed examinations to become a Nursery Nurse. Most of her career was in a variety of childcare roles, from local nurseries in Canonbury, to Kingsway in the centre of London, and latterly at St Lukes Playgroup and Heavers Farm Schools in Croydon. She did also have a spell working with Nestle in Croydon.

The church was always close to Doreen's heart and in 1964 she met Christopher Hedgcombe at Old Souls in Langham Place, London. Doreen and Christopher married a year later and moved to Croydon in Surrey. In 1972 she had her first son, David and in 1974 her second son, Richard. Later on she became a grandmother to Danielle, Sam and Zack and Great Grandmother to Mia. In 2015 Christopher and Doreen celebrated their Golden Wedding but sadly Christopher passed away in early 2016.

Doreen's social life mainly revolved around the church and she was a keen member of the Choir at St Mary Magdalene in Addiscombe, Croydon. She was also heavily involved with the church Brownies and the Mother and Toddler Group, the latter until the last few weeks of her life. She was also a keen flower arranger and was a regular prize winner with the Blue Swan Flower Club.

Doreen had suffered a long spell of ill health from 2013 to her death which affected her mobility.

She will be missed greatly by her family and friends, who take comfort that she is now reunited with Christopher and no longer suffering the pain that resulted from her condition.

Doreen's funeral will take place at 11:45 am on Monday 13th May 2019 at Beckenham Crematorium, Beckenham, Kent. All who knew her are welcome to attend. All family and close friends of Doreen and her family are invited to celebrate her life at a buffet in her memory at Coombe Lodge, Croydon, after the ceremony at the Crematorium.

Doreen loved flowers so we would like as many flowers as possible at the ceremony. Flowers should be sent to the funeral directors A&J Morriss to arrive early on Monday 13th May.