Friend’s tribute to ‘pretty teenager’ who left Leek for USA 65 years ago
Philip Brough met Doreen Wetherington while on a trip to America and they remained friends on social media
TRIBUTE has been paid to a Staffordshire Moorlands-born woman who has died in America aged 93.
Doreen Wetherington (nee Taylor) was formerly of Picton Street, Leek, daughter of Harry and Florence Boughey-taylor.
Post & Times columnist Philip Brough and his wife met Doreen on a trip to Amercica and became friends.
Philip said: “Three years ago, I was in a hotel in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with my wife and friends.
“Going up in the lift, an American lady suddenly interrupted our conversation by asking ‘Do you guys come from England?’
“I replied ‘yes,’ whereupon she said, ‘My mom comes from England; a little town near Manchester – Leek.
“I replied, I come from Leek and, full of excitement, she said, ‘You gotta meet my Mom. She’s downstairs.’
“I was rushed to the ground floor where an elderly lady sat, and I was introduced to Doreen.
“Doreen and I have been Facebook friends ever since and several times a week I would send her news of Leek and photographs, some of which I took myself and others I downloaded off the various Facebook Leek Groups sites.
“A big ‘thank you’ to those who contributed photographs, both old and new, to these groups, for you made a very old lady very happy.
“She loved the photographs and the memories that they recalled.”
Doreen Taylor was born in 1927 and lived above the butcher’s shop in Picton Street.
In 1944, during the war, many American soldiers found themselves at the Blackshaw Moor Army Camp undergoing final training before the invasion of France. Ball Haye Hall was a social club for American soldiers. One of them was a young soldier named Lee Wetherington. “Lee and Doreen met and it was almost literally a case of love at first sight,” added Philip.
“When the war ended, Lee rushed back to Leek, as soon as circumstances permitted, to claim the hand of his love. “In September 1954, they were married in St Edward’s Church. “Lee returned to the USA and Doreen applied for the necessary permits.
“It took nearly a year before Doreen was able to sail for America and a loving reunion.
“The couple lived in North Carolina and Lee, having left the army, became a Highway Patrol Police Officer.
“Their marriage was blessed with three children – Lorraine, Lee junior and Phillip – seven grand-children; and 16 great-grandchildren; all of whom loved this English-born lady.
“After many happy years together, Lee died in October, 1987.
“I will miss our several-times-aweek social contact, and I am sure that the older readers, who may remember a pretty teenager living in Picton Street who disappeared one day, will rejoice to hear of the wonderful and full life that she led in America.
“She will be very much missed by all of her large family and her many friends.”
Several times a week I would send her news of Leek and photographs which I took myself
Philip Brough