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Obituaries - Our friends at St ThomasDoreen Daley
Doreen, or, as she prefers the shortened version, Deen, was born in 1922 in the small village of Brooklyn in Kent, about halfway between the site of the Battle of Hastings and Canterbury Cathedral. Kent has always been known as the “Garden of England” for the range of produce grown there. Locals know this south eastern corner of England as the “seventh continent”. She was born into an Anglican family, baptised at St. Augustine’s Church in Brooklyn and later confirmed there by the Bishop of Dover, in 1933. Deen was educated in Church of England schools and moved naturally into church work, loving particularly the teaching in the Sunday School there. This was to set the pattern for the rest of her life in the church.
Upon leaving school Deen was employed as a librarian in Oxford, where she was very happy, but when the Second World War broke out in 1939 she determined that she would enlist in the Women’s Royal Air Force (WRAF). This wish was never to be fulfilled as her husband Pat “questioned the morals of the girls operating the barrage balloons and search lights …”
Pat Carroll was a member of the Canadian Forces who came to the Empire’s assistance in 1939. Deen and he met at a party, though Deen cannot recall that they really met at all (aside from a “wolf whistle” from a Canadian sporting an impressive black eye). She must, however, have made a major impression upon him, for he proposed marriage, by letter, quite soon after, and they were married in 1940. Max and Jane were born before Pat was sent into the theatre of war in Sicily. It was common at that time for “war brides” to come home to Canada, and Deen and the children left in 1944 as the “Doodle Bugs” (V1 rocket bombs) began to fall or be shot down over Kent on their way to London. They were advised they ‘d be given only 24 hrs advance notice of sailing time so goodbyes would be sudden, short and bittersweet. The liner transporting them would be part of the many secret convoy ships traveling amidst the battle of the Atlantic.
The three new Carrolls came into Halifax, through Pier 21, a place she describes now as one her favourite places and they were sent by train first to Arnprior Ontario to join Pat’s family, Roman Catholics all. When her new mother-in-law heard of Pat’s marriage she did not disapprove but the reception was a cool one, complaining that a Protestant had been chosen. The biggest protest Deen would have made to this, is that Anglicans are not Protestants, and that we confess and profess our faith as catholic and apostolic.
Pat returned from the war in 1946 and soon afterwards they made their home in Schumacher Ontario, a gold mining centre which today has become part of the amalgamated city of Timmins. Deen was employed in the local post office, and was very active in their local Anglican church. Pat returned to his pre-war occupation as a gold miner.
Although it has been estimated that over 4 million ounces of gold came out of the ground at the McIntyre, Deen knows that precious little of it came their way! Pat’s health was not good, and working in the mines was not helping, so he took a job as a police officer. Pat and Deen had agreed that after she had been in Canada for 5 years she would return for a while to England, which she did, in 1949, taking her two children with her. The family increased in size whist she was away, for she discovered on the boat to England that she was pregnant with Mary. After 18 months the enlarged family sailed back to Canada.
Pat’s health continued to fail as a result of his combat injuries and he died in 1963 following an operation. Deen continued as a leading light in the church, and was responsible, with others, for the creation of a new church to serve the rapidly expanding need for one, which was to be called St Chad’s in Schumacher. She became a member of the Sisters of the Church. The Community of the Sisters of the Church is a religious order of women in various Anglican provinces who live the vowed life of poverty, chastity and obedience. Any woman who feels called to join the sisters must first apply to the house and then make several visits. She then becomes an aspirant, then a novice then makes promises to live as a Junior Sister for a few years before taking life vows. Deen has also been a life-long promoter of Mothers Unions, and feels that Church life is vastly enhanced when there is an active MU, acting as part of the worldwide MU.
Many people had suggested that she might consider marrying again, since it was obvious that she must be lonely. Doreen countered by saying that she does not mind being alone, but she is never lonely. Maybe it was a defence mechanism, but she often told her friends that she would never marry again, unless it was to a clergyman. Through her work at the Diocesan Chancel Guild at the Cathedral in Timmins she dealt with many requests from far flung clergy. Rev George Daley was looking for someone to find him a Kazoo! He was a priest and teacher in the Diocese of Moosonee. After much correspondence about the kazoo and other things, George asked her to marry him. In 1972 they were married at St Chad’s and went to the United Kingdom for their honeymoon.
Deen became an integral part of her husband’s ministry and was constantly involved in the affairs of the church. George’s Parish was St Paul`s Kashechewan. The original name meant “where the waters flow fast”. It is around half way up James Bay. Once George had gained further qualifications during a two year course of study, he was invited to the Diocese of Toronto as Rector of St Luke`s in Creemore, to the north west of Toronto . They were there for 5 years, and Deen became a Lay Reader and Preacher in this 6 point Parish. Even though he was “the master of avoiding a speeding ticket”, the churches were so far spread, (up to 50 km apart) that each church could only celebrate Eucharist once every 6 weeks, as George was sole priest. As a result, there was much call upon the Lay Readers and Preachers! She gained the respect of congregants who found her sermons interesting, thoughtful and enlightening. She remained characteristically humble despite the high praise of her husband.
George`s last parish was Christ Church Cambellford, near Peterborough, by far the oldest church in the region. After making three attempts to retire, George finally did, and he and Deen bought a house in the Chaput Huges (Kirkland Lake) Ont. Sadly, however, localised cancer spread to other parts of his body, and after a long illness, George died.
Two of Deen`s grandchildren had settled in Nova Scotia by this time, and had made a name for themselves in the world of music as the Sons of Maxwell. When Max and Sharon decided to relocate to Nova Scotia, Deen came with them and worshiped at St Thomas in Fall River, N.S.
Deen made no secret of the preference she has had for High Church or Anglo Catholic Anglicanism, and enjoyed her visits to St George`s Church in Halifax, but she rejoiced at the catholicity of our Anglican church, with its` many and varied, and yet unified, approaches to worship. Her breadth of understanding of the Church of yesterday, today and tomorrow will be missed. We are all on the same journey, and Deen has played her part to the full on that journey. She remained loyal to the vows she made to the Sisters of the Church and in the eyes of many was a living example of God’s Love .
Deen’s depth of Faith was inspirational. Her trust in the Lord and in the fulfillment of His Divine Promise is a parting gift all that knew her can take comfort in. In the time leading up to her death she said many times “don’t cry for me when I am gone … cry for yourselves if you miss me (and I hope you do) but, God Willing, I will be with the Lord and the loved ones that have preceded me. I will certainly have no need of any tears”.
We are thankful for her loving kindness, her grace, her wisdom and of course her infectious laughter. She not only leaves behind a terrible space in our lives but also a shining example of how we might strive to live them.
Since writing this Deen has become an integral part of the lives of so many of us. As a regular attendee at the weekly Bible Study group she has shared her life-wisdom with us, and has often put a point of view very forcibly and clearly. Her influence upon us all is great, and the love she has shown for us, and we for her has, we know, greatly enhanced this last year of her life. One of our members often says how lucky we are, and Deen’s constant retort was “not lucky my dear, we’re blessed”. The post-Bible Study meeting, in the local Tim Horton’s, brought the place to a standstill every Wednesday, with shrieks of laughter and delight. It must be a rarity for a person so advanced in years to make a whole new group of friends who feel that they have known and loved her forever. Such is the measure of the woman.
After a short final illness at home, cared for lovingly by Sharon and Max, Deen went peacefully to join her Lord and Saviour, on the first Sunday in Lent 2011.
Fall River, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2009, in the QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, surrounded by family. Pauline was born in St. John's, N.L., the daughter of the late Daisy and Alfred Rees. She was a graduate of Bishop Spencer College, and married Harold Pike in 1944. In 1946 they emigrated from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia, but always remained proud Newfoundlanders. Volunteer work at the Anglican Church was an integral part of Pauline's life, first at Christ Church, Dartmouth, and then at St. Thomas' Church in Fall River. The friendships she made there meant a great deal to her. Not a sports fan before she married, Pauline decided to become one when she realized how much time Harold spent watching baseball and hockey. She grew to love both games, and in 1972, when the USSR hosted the Moscow portion of the Russia-Canada hockey summit, Pauline made sure she and Harold were in the stands at the Luzhniki Ice Palace to cheer for Team Canada. Pauline also rooted for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Blue Jays for many decades, with varying degrees of success. Pauline was predeceased by husband, Harold and siblings, Dorothy, Jim and Joan. She is survived by her children, Sharon (Stan) Lloyd, Fall River; David (Kathy), Halifax, and niece D'Ann (Dieter) Feth, Lower Sackville. Pauline was a loving grandmother to Scott, Leah, Andrea and Amie; and proud great-grandmother ("GG") to Kingsly, Jaxson and Isabella. The family would like to thank the staff at the Halifax Infirmary, QEII, especially the nurses on 8.2, for their compassionate care in the last days of Pauline's life. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at St. Thomas' Church in Fall River, Tuesday, January 27, at 10:30 a.m. Reception to follow in the church hall. Donations may be made to St. Thomas' Church Building Fund. PATTISON, Robert Outen, t{CN CD C2 • He enjoyed life to the fullest and had many,
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