Dedication to my late wife Doreen Sheila Pilfold

In 1972 /3 season Dor and I joined Worthing Rugby Football club at the Castle Road ground in Tarring.

We both became active members of the club and on a Saturday Dor would help prepare the player’s teas in the little kitchen there. She came to all the home games and allowed me free time to enjoy myself on most of the away games .

There was one notable occasion when she came to give me support during a particular away game Unfortunately my opposite number and I were not getting on very well during the game and during a line out a few punches were thrown.. Dor became very incensed with my opposite number, rushed onto the pitch and started punching him. He was quite taken aback and said to me” who the fuck is that ?” I replied “Oh don’t worry it’s only my wife” and he said “You need to keep her under better control !” She was escorted off the pitch by the touch judge. Nowadays she would have been cited of course, but that was coarse Rugby for you. As I say, she was a very keen supporter, just sometimes a bit too keen. I remember the chap buying her a glass of wine after the match.

She loved the family atmosphere of the club and in August 1980 accompanied me on the North America tour and two years later she was part of the 1982, Bahamas, USA tour. The last, and without doubt the finest tour ever was the 1990 South East Asia tour and, of course, there was no way that Dor was going to miss out on that one !

We actually extended that tour by further two weeks and what a great time we had .She continued her love of Rugby by watching the Raiders every Saturday, home and away..In fact, she regularly appeared on the host team’s top table.The last trip to HQ was on the 28th of September to watch the home game against Tonbridge Juddians. Unfortunately, due to her weakened condition, we had to come home before half time.

In November 2021 after having Bell’s palsy, Dor had a stroke.

As time went on, she started to lose her ability to speak and subsequently write. In fact, having been left-handed all her life, she suddenly became right-handed. She was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. As her only carer the last year had been very difficult for us both .Her weight loss was noticeable and she finally succumbed in Worthing Hospital at 9:30 pm on Remembrance Sunday..

Her death certificate, reads cause of death; frailty syndrome , cerebrovascular, disease, type two diabetes mellitus, Parkinson’s disease, and hypertension.

Married 9/11 …Died Remembrance Sunday…. laid to rest Friday 13th….

Her funeral will take place at Worthing crematorium on Friday, the 13th of December at 2 pm and all will be welcomed afterwards at the East Preston and Kingston, Royal British Legion BN161JL

Please note that due to the numbers expected, I have booked a double slot at the crematorium. The service will also be live streamed for those who would like to be there, but are unable to be.

I have requested no flowers, but should you wish to make a small donation we would very much like you to support the East Preston and Kingston, Royal British Legion ‘Club ‘ To this end a Just Giving account has been set up by Ian Hart funeral Services . regards ‘Pils’ …..details below ;

I met her in 1967 when I was 17 at Basildon Mecca proposed to her in 1968 and we were married in 1971 we spent 57 very happy years together.

Dedication to my late wife

Doreen Sheila Pilfold

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