The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Country dancing stalwart Doreen Coghlan, 89
Tributes have been paid by the Scottish country dancing fraternity to Doreen Coghlan of Perthshire, who has died aged 89.
She participated in Scottish country dancing around the east of Scotland from her teenage years until the start of lockdown.
Dance club members from Pitlochry to Clackmannanshire have contacted Doreen’s family with their memories and condolences.
Lesley Ross, of the Alva club, said Doreen will be remembered on the first night of its summer dancing timetable.
Doreen played a big part in community life in Bankfoot. She worked on local farms then was employed at Nicoll Brothers kilt and sporran makers and at local mills.
She had a strong faith and was deeply involved in church life in the village, later as a volunteer cleaner.
Doreen was born near Elgin to forester Sandy Rose and his wife, Mary.
Her father rose to become a head forester and was awarded an MBE for his work.
Doreen’s family moved to Bankfoot when she was 14 after her father returned from service in the Second World War.
Doreen left school at that age and worked in a number of jobs in Bankfoot, moving first to Stanley Mill and then Luncarty Mill to work on textiles.
In 1950 she met her future husband, Patrick Coghlan, a joiner and carpenter.
After he returned from national service with the RAF in Cyprus, the couple married in 1956 and had four sons, Brian, Kevin, Martin and Russell.
Sadly, Russell and her husband died within the space of a few weeks in 2004.
Throughout her life,
Doreen was passionate about Scottish country dancing.
During the summer she would attend two or three meetings a week in village halls across Perthshire,
Angus, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire.
June Templeton, of Pitlochry, described Doreen as an enthusiastic and supportive dancer, while Pat Fraser, of Blairgowrie Ericht, said she will be greatly missed.
Jane Rattray, of Scone, said: “Doreen was very enthusiastic and always went out of her way to help new members.”
Mo Rutherford, of Perth, said Doreen provided transport to others to attend various venues.
Doreen’s funeral will take place at Perth crematorium on Tuesday at 2pm.