Mrs. Dorothy Gladys Hawthorne

Editorial Department • Published 8 Jul 2010 16:00

Dorothy Gladys Hawthorne (nee Stokes) died on Monday, June 21, aged 57, following a brave two month battle with cancer.

Dorothy was the fourth child of six born to William and Evelyn Stokes at Ballintarson, Lisbellaw. She had a very happy childhood on the family farm with her two sisters, Jennifer and Cilla, and her three brothers, Billy, Mervyn, and Alan.

Dorothy attended Lisbellaw Primary School and despite spending a lengthy period in Altnagelvin hospital, she passed her qualifying exam and gained admittance to the Collegiate Grammar School. Here she achieved her junior certificate but soon afterwards transferred to the Technical College where she successfully completed a secretarial course which led to employment with Cooper and Cooper solicitors, the then Crown Solicitors.

It was here, shortly after her 18th birthday, end of September 1970 (40 years ago this year) that a young police constable arrived in with some legal documents and he noticed Dorothy, but she didn't notice him!

However, thanks to the intervention of a friendly traffic warden, Ronnie and Dorothy eventually met up and from their first date they were together and inseparable ever since.

Dorothy gave up her own career to devote her time to raising her family of three girls - Tracey, Ashleigh and Jill, whom she loved and adored.

Due to the nature of Ronnie's job, moving home became an area of expertise moving on numerous occasions from Trory to Newtownstewart, various locations in Belfast, before finally settling in Ballynahinch 24 years ago.

The actions of terrorists visited the Hawthornes on more than one occasion. Throughout these difficult times, Dorothy showed great strength and an unfailing devotion to her family, supporting her husband through many difficult years and situations.

In February 1973, Dorothy, and her siblings, also had to cope with the tragic sudden death of her brother Alan, aged 14, in a terrible accident at Tamlaght and, soon afterwards, the deaths of her loving parents.

There were also times of great joy and happiness and pride such as in 1974 when she proudly accompanied Ronnie to Buckingham Palace where he was awarded the Gallantry Medal from HM the Queen and on many other occasions mixing with royalty, religious, political and other dignitaries, but Dorothy always kept her feet firmly on the ground, and her greatest joy were her husband, daughters and the five grandchildren (Rebecca, Amy, Georgia, Thomas and Ryan), not forgetting the regular Stokes' family reunions which were a delight.

Since Ronnie retired their life took a new direction. They enjoyed exotic holidays throughout the world and had more time and freedom to pursue their many pleasures. Mini breaks to Fermanagh were always a pleasure.

Dorothy loved to dance, read, and attend classical events. She was a very glamorous, stylish lady who took great pride in her appearance.

Above all, Dorothy's greatest joy in life was the love she gave and received from her husband, her three daughters and, in more recent times, her five grandchildren. Dorothy was the perfect role model for a wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was a kind, gentle and compassionate individual. Extremely perceptive and highly intelligent - she never missed a thing.

Her GP described Dorothy as a true lady who throughout her short illness, maintained her dignity, right to the end. She is remembered as a real lady by her family.

Her funeral service was held on Thursday, June 24 at Magheradroll Parish Church where the rector remarked that it was the largest ever witnessed by him in over 27 years at Ballynahinch.

Dorothy's daughters, Jill and Ashleigh read from the scriptures and Tracey read the poem, 'Do not stand at my Grave'. Jill's husband, Damian read a glowing tribute to Dorothy, which at times had the congregation in laughter and in tears. The rector, Rev. Canon W. Russell, who attended Dorothy regularly during her illness conducted a most fitting service.

Dorothy had a great love for easy listening classical music, therefore it was fitting that two of her favourite pieces were played for her arrival and departure from the church: Puccini's Humming Chorus (Madame Butterfly) and the slow movement from Mozart's Clarinet Concerto (Adagio).

The family is greatly humbled by the hundreds of cards and letters of sympathy and also by all those from near and far who attended her funeral.

Dorothy will be very dearly missed by everyone who knew her.

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 08 Jul 10

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