Doreen was born on December 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 over 1.5 million people, mostly school children were moved from their homes and families to a country side 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 in the Queen Mary I with other English war brides as they were called. She went to her husband’s hometown of Bellows Falls, Vermont. 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 has a smile for everyone she met. She loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by her daughters, Doreen (Dennis) Rochester, Marie Laplante (Terrence Ryan), her beloved grandchildren, Joshua (Amanda) Jordan and 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 and 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 and Chelsea and all the other aids 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 at St. Charles Church on April 18 at 11:00 AM. 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.