Doreen Frost - 1936 - 2026
From the Parish News – September 2026.
Apart from a short spell in Leicester, Doreen and her 2 siblings grew up locally. Her father was a dairy man and they lived in a few houses, including Lower Green Farm on Middle Road, but Doreen always considered ‘home’ to be in the area around Mettingham Castle.
After school she worked at the shoe factory, where a friend introduced her to her brother, a young farm worker called Lenny Frost. He invited her out rabbiting, which was obviously a success because they were married in the parish church at Mettingham.
In 1958 Lenny went to work at Park Farm, Earsham, initially for Mr Cheyney and then for Peter Hipwell. He and Doreen lived in one of the cottages at the bottom of Middle Road and Doreen went to work at Earsham Hall School, where she was a great favourite. She was very happy there and many pupils, including Richard Lambert, have fond memories of her kindness to them.
Later, she worked at Martin’s in Bungay, usually on the deli counter, where her beaming smile made everyone welcome.
Doreen loved children, but for a long time it seemed as if she would not be blessed with any of her own. At last, and to their great joy, Tracey put in an appearance. The birth was far from straightforward and, sadly, there were to be no more babies. Tracey was the centre of Doreen’s world, always immaculately turned out and encouraged in every possible way; she was always so proud of her.
But Doreen’s huge heart had plenty of room for others too. She was an amazing auntie and a brilliant friend. Nothing was too much trouble and she loved to entertain. She enjoyed baking and gardening, often giving away the fruits of her labours.
In 1986 Lenny took a job in Mettingham, back to Doreen’s roots, and there they stayed until retirement and a move to Denton in 2005.
After Lenny’s death, in 2007, Doreen continued to nurture her friendships and forge new ones. She loved visitors, never forgetting names and faces and always providing treats.
Her cancer diagnosis was met with typical pragmatism. She didn’t feel sorry for herself, she just got on with it, choosing not to have treatment but to live as well as she could for as long as she could.
Almost to the end Doreen continued to find happiness in visitors. No longer able to bake, she bought chocolate for the children who came carol singing, and plied her friends with sherry! All who met Doreen are sad to lose her, but happy to have known her.