Please accept our deepest condolences on the sad passing of your mum. Harry and I both send our very best regards to you and all your family.
Doreen was always a lovely, lively character who enjoyed her line dancing so much. It was always great to see her and it was always a marvellous surprise when she visited from Australia!
I had two ladies called Doreen in my class, so your mum was always known as ‘Doreen from Down Under.’ She would always tell me the dances she did at home and she loved learning the new dances that I taught when she was here. She always wrote a few lines to me in the Christmas card that she sent every year to say that she was still line dancing.
It was great to hear that she was still dancing and very active till the end. That was her character, wasn’t it, hated to be bored and wanted to dance!
I will tell members of my Dipton class tonight (Tuesday 8 Sept). That is the class Doreen attended and a lot will remember her. I know they will be very sad to hear of your mum’s death.
Your mum, Doreen, will be in my thoughts and prayers and I will remember her especially when I’m line dancing.
Please accept our deepest condolences on the sad passing of your mum. Harry and I both send our very best regards to you and all your family.
Doreen was always a lovely, lively character who enjoyed her line dancing so much. It was always great to see her and it was always a marvelous surprise when she visited from Australia!
I had two ladies called Doreen in my class, so your mum was always known as ‘Doreen from Down Under.’ She would always tell me the dances she did at home and she loved learning the new dances that I taught when she was here. She always wrote a few lines to me in the Christmas card that she sent every year to say that she was still line dancing.
It was great to hear that she was still dancing and very active till the end. That was her character, wasn’t it, hated to be bored and wanted to dance!
I will tell members of my Dipton class tonight (Tuesday 8 Sept). That is the class Doreen attended and a lot will remember her. I know they will be very sad to hear of your mum’s death.
Your mum, Doreen, will be in my thoughts and prayers and I will remember her especially when I’m line dancing.
loved her smile always had a smile on her face and she had a wonderful long life and she really loved life and lived life to the fullest bingo won’t be the same with Doreen not there r.i.p Doreen miss you very much
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady. I had some giggles and some tears too. She was such a very happy, fun loving lady.
I loved the Mr Cun story. I could even imagine her saying that. “Cun, without the T’?”
Plus the story driving through Armadale losing the bassinet out the car door. OMG that would have been scary at the time, but bloody hilarious to talk about now lol
Michelle and Robyn, your singing to her was just fantastic. Your Mum would have absolutely loved that.
It just goes to show what kind of person your Mum was, to have been loved & adored by so many. Her family absolutely adore her & from what was said she will definitely be missed.
If it wasn’t for this bloody COVID that room would have been bursting with people.
May your beautiful Mum RIP & I’ll bet she’ll still be dancing away up there. xx
Lovely service. Auntie Dilly ,my mum ,auntie Blanche ,and auntie Vi were all enrolled in dancing classes when they were young. Among other things they studied ballet and tap dancing. Our nan joined a dance troupe in Liverpool in her 70’s and danced in the David Lewis theatre. Auntie Dilly was in Liverpool when I had my first son and came to see me . She was also in Liverpool when I had my youngest child Tracey and came to see me with my mum. Amazing how memories pop up. Lots of love to Brenda Carl Bryan and Robyn xxxx
Such a beautiful celebration of your mum Robyn. I cried and laughed when you spoke, when Michelle spoke, when Kylie spoke and Teagan. Such wonderful, funny , very personal stories from the heart I feel honoured to have meet this special woman, who touched so many hearts and had such a big personality and spirit. Keep dancing Doreen❤️xx
Beautiful service and lovely to hear all good memories and the song . Your mum would been so proud of u all . I will always treasure memories . Thinking of u all love Kent family ❤️xxx
What an amazing and beautiful service with so many wonderful, funny and joyous stories about your Mum and Nanna. She was such an inspiration to everyone she met and was of course the world’s leopard skin fashionista!
God bless you Auntie Dilly, I love you xx
It was a beautiful service and lovely to hear all the tributes and great memories. Auntie Dilly will be greatly missed by so many people, she was a lovely woman xx
It was really good to be able to be part of Doreen’s send off . she was such a lovely lady & friend & I will miss her. Thank you Robyn & family for enabling her friends to be with you all today. A lovely service. ❤
Beautiful send off for a wonderful friend. So proud of all the family for sharing all their special memories with us. RIP Doreen. Always in our hearts. Marie & Rodney. xxxx
Sally Graham says
The service was beautiful, i loved all the tributes and the little song, that made me cry, we all expected Doreen to live forever, a true friend always in my heart , i appreciate being able to be there in spirit and able to watch from home, Big thankyou to Robyn and family for making this possible . Till we meet again beautiful lady
In my ten years knowing Dor she loved the company of others, she loved the fast pace and she loved her family. Her fuel was laughter, cups of tea and dancing. At Robyn’s house on a Monday my memories are dinner around the round table, doing the dishes together, watching musical talent shows and being told the fastest way back to her house in Cranbourne. Dor was never old and she had such a fighting spirit It was sad to her knees and hips not keeping up with her mind and the loneliness during Covid 19 in her final months. I felt privileged to be at Doreen’s funeral as she has was the doyen of what is a special and never dull family. Her legacy of having fun will continue for sure.
From an early age & even now, Nathaniel & Lochlan Carlsen, when out shopping (I know a crazy concept in these COVID times) will comment on any animal print clothing they see – “Nana would like that!”
Nana’s style has been embedded deep, as are the memories. xx
What a wonderful service for a wonderful lady, I met Doreen affectionally called “Dilly ” in Consett England , being a close friend of her niece Lorraine, when she visited her sister Violet. She made so many friends here and line danced her way into everyone’s affection. There are many people who still ask after her and i will tell them that a wonderful, vivacious, funny , lovely lady is now line dancing in heaven . To have the love of all of extensive family must have been a joy . Love to you all Farewell “Dilly “xxx
My thoughts are with you at this sad time. Sending you and Kyle and your family love.
Take this time to cherish the wonderful and happy times you shared with your beautiful Mum Doreen.
The memories that you hold in your heart will give you comfort through this time.
A Beautiful service for a Beautiful Lady xxxxx
A poem for your Mum…..in loving memory …..
THE DASH…………….
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.
For now that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on this earth.
And now only those that loved her will know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash.
For what matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash…….
So think about this long and hard. Are there things you would like to change?
For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged.
if we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more, and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat other with respect, and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?
This speech was to be read at the funeral, but we ran out of time.
Thank you so much Darren. Mum thought the world of John and yourself.
For those of you that don’t know me, my name is Darren Mitchell and I was one of Doreen’s Line Dancing teachers.
Doreen was a huge part of our classes for more than 20 years, attending our classes twice sometimes three times a week and also our monthly social gatherings. Doreen just loved her Line Dancing, it was her ‘Happy’ place and she always looked forward to getting to class to enjoy her dancing.
Doreen hated the slow dances, if I was teaching a dance, she would always ask me ‘is this slow’? sometimes my reply would be ‘yes, Doreen this is a slow dance tonight’, with that she would walk off the floor, I would say ‘Doreen where are you going’? she would turn around, look at me with her tongue poked out and say ‘I don’t like the slow dances, I’m going to get a cup of tea, tell me when you have finished’.
Most of the times Doreen would put our ‘younger’ dancers to shame, they just couldn’t keep up with her on the floor, she would never sit down, she was just amazing.
For those of you that knew Doreen, knew that she was a prankster and always enjoyed telling you a joke. Every year for my Birthday and Christmas, Doreen always bought me a bottle of aftershave, she would always say to me ‘ it’s only the cheap stuff, you make more money than me, so you can buy the more expensive brands, I’m only a pensioner’.
Doreen, we are going to miss you, Chill Factor & Badge Of Honour will always be known as ‘your dance’.
Until we meet again, keep dancing and keep telling those jokes.
My Favorite Memories of Doreen:
I met Doreen many years ago through our mutual love of line dancing. Doreen was a fun loving remarkable woman with a great sense of humor. When I think of my favorite memories of her I had to stop and think for a while as there are so many memories starting with her love of leopard skin clothing and her famous hat that became an icon for those who knew her within the line dancing community. The ones most prominent that come to me is of a proud lady determined that nobody was going to find out her age. It was an impossible task for us to get her to come clean. It kept us guessing for many years. It didn’t matter how hard we tried to trick her she managed not to let it slip. Her answer was always “I am 47” I remember at her 80th birthday party when she introduced me to her one of her sons. Talking with him I discovered he was in fact older than the 47 years Doreen was saying she was. But she was still adamant that she was only 47. The only lady in the world to have a son before she was born. Told her she should be in the Guinness book of Records. Made her laugh but not confess.
For many years I have been having Halloween celebration parties with all dressing for the occasion and with lots of decorations. The first time I invited Doreen to come she gave me a shocked look and told me very bluntly “no I can’t come” Asking further Doreen told me she didn’t like scary things but eventually after a lot of pressure she reluctantly agreed to join us. Even though she had said she didn’t want to come she arrived at 6pm 2 hours early and caught me in the shower which made her day. We had so much fun scaring Doreen that first night but I think she really enjoyed our antics. Doreen ended up coming to everyone except last year as she was unwell. She enjoyed having her photo taken and was very theatrical with her poses and with the faces she made when someone waved a decoration her way. Usually one that made a loud screeching sound or lit up.
Doreen was a unique lady who had a great sense of humour, was loved by all of us that knew her and will be greatly missed.
Jenny Gabsch
This was to be read out at the funeral, but we ran short of time. It is from Margaret Murphy on behalf of `Bootnus’ Line dancing group.
Doreen was Everybody’s friend, Mum, Legend,and Beautiful Lady.
“Doreen, dance your heart out with all our other friends up there, you will be greatly missed by all of us from ‘Bootnus’
Sending love & gratitude to the Victorian Carlsen’s & their families, for the wonderful tribute to Mrs Carlsen. The Queensland Carlsen’s have come together to watch & celebrated tonight – ‘Mam, Nana & Mrs Carlsen’ – as her words in all our Christmas cards will stand testament to. Not many get to experience the amazing jam pack 95.6 years that Mrs Carlsen got too! We are so great full for the love & stories shared today, you should be all very proud. Carl even learnt a couple of new things about the folks. Your very “Carlsen” eulogy captured the CRAZY & more importantly the bond shared throughout the generations! So blessed to have had three months of facetiming with the fam laughing & poking out our tongues xxx R.I.P Love Carl, Nathaniel, Lochlan & Ruth
03/08/2020
Sending my Love and condolences to my dearest friend Robyn and family
My memories of Doreen will be held close to my heart, in so many ways she reminded me of my own grandmother.
One of my fondest memories was a holiday to Tamworth for a woman in her 90s, “sorry”!!! Doreen I mean 50s “ lol, her energy could outlast both myself and Robyn, we wanted to go home, Doreen wanted to keep partying, dancing and listening to bands, she would talk to the young, the old, police men and then give them her flirtatious grin. I wished I had half her energy!!!!
For a lady her age it was truly remarkable that she was still driving, staying out till all hours of the night line dancing, bingo, such an independent lady right up to just over a year ago.
Doreen you had such a sparkle and a zest for life that we should all be in awe, you were truly an amazing woman of your age, and you will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing you.
My dearest friend Robyn due to the circumstances I can’t be there with you today, but I send you all my Love and strength.
You have been a wonderful attentive daughter, continuing to uplift you mum , making her favorite biscuits, having arranged sky calls, musicians dedicating songs, demanding the nursing home give her those biscuits and a normal cup of tea, OR ELSE !!! Lol waiting by her bedside day and night,
Please know in your heart you did all that you could possible do to make her final days be filled with love, laughter and a peaceful passing.
Till we meet again, May you now rest in peace Doreen and continue your partying and line dancing without pain, but with eternal peace.
Such beautiful service, Doreen will be so proud of you all, her grandchildren’s tribute filled with so much Love, just beautiful!!!
Michelle, Doreen would of been dancing from above, the words to the song were so her, such a fantastic tribute.
Sending my Love and prayers to you all.
03/08/2020
Sending my Love and condolences to my dearest friend Robyn and family
My memories of Doreen will be held close to my heart, in so many ways she reminded me of my own grandmother.
One of my fondest memories was a holiday to Tamworth for a woman in her 90s, “sorry”!!! Doreen I mean 50s “ lol, her energy could outlast both myself and Robyn, we wanted to go home, Doreen wanted to keep partying, dancing and listening to bands, she would talk to the young, the old, police men and then give them her flirtatious grin. I wished I had half her energy!!!!
For a lady her age it was truly remarkable that she was still driving, staying out till all hours of the night line dancing, bingo, such an independent lady right up to just over a year ago.
Doreen you had such a sparkle and a zest for life that we should all be in awe, you were truly an amazing woman of your age, and you will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing you.
My dearest friend Robyn due to the circumstances I can’t be there today, but I send you all my Love and strength
You have been a wonderful attentive daughter, continuing to uplift you mum , making her favorite biscuits, having arranged sky calls, musicians dedicating songs, demanding the nursing home give her those biscuits and a normal cup of tea, OR ELSE !!! Lol waiting by her bedside day and night,
Please know in your heart you did all that you could possible do to make her final days be filled with love, laughter and a peaceful passing.
Till we meet again, May you now rest in peace Doreen and continue your partying and line dancing without pain, but with eternal peace.
Love Kimmy D & Family
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Poem to follow:
DO NOT STAND AT MY GRAVE AND WEEP
I AM NOT THERE, I DO NOT SLEEP.
I AM A THOUSAND WINDS THAT BLOW,
I AM THE DIAMOND GLINTS ON SNOW.
I AM THE SUNLIGHT ON RIPENED GRAIN.
I AM THE GENTLE AUTUMN RAIN.
WHEN YOU AWAKEN IN THE MORNING’S HUSH
I AM THE SWIFT UPLIFTING RUSH
OF QUIET BIRDS IN CIRCLED FLIGHT.
I AM THE SOFT STARS THAT SHINE AT NIGHT.
DO NOT STAND AT MY GRAVE AND CRY;
I AM NOT THERE. I DID NOT DIE.
-Mary Elizabeth Frye
Sending my love and prayers to you all.
Such a beautiful service and reflection of Doreen’s life, she will be so proud of her family.
Michelle Doreen would of been dancing to your tribute song, absolutely fantastic.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thanks for adding this Kimmy, Bill didnt have time to read it out. It was so beautiful.
Bill read your poem at the gravesite which was really nice xx
RIP Doreen, a lovely lady, will be sadly missed in the line dancing community.
Beautiful service, Doreen will be in my heart forever, I will miss picking her up for bingo and I will certainly miss her funny antics’ at bingo. Never a dull moment with her that’s for sure! I would watch her feet tapping to the dance’s at line dancing, never missed a beat. Dance on beautiful lady, and hopefully you will be picking my bingo numbers from up there! Loved and missed so much!
Sincere sympathy to Doreen’s family on her sad passing. Doreen was a lovely lady who lived a long life so well. Her love of line dancing and the line dancing community, her passion for life was remarkable. Beautiful tributes and eulogies from the family. Doreen would have been so proud. Treasure the happy memories. They will stay in your hearts forever.
Love Carol Porter xxxx
What a lovely wonderful tribute to your life from family & friends Doreen. You certainly packed a lot into your years. I will miss you waving to me across the hall at Darren’s Socials & chatting to you. I loved the song Michelle wrote for you. Enjoy dancing & singing again.
A very beautiful service for a beautiful and very fun loving Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother.
To Robyn and to all the extended family, my sincere condolences, and may Doreen Rest In Peace.
Thanks Timmy, And also, Great Great! Grandmother! xx
Jenny and Reiner Gabsch
In loving memory of a fun loving witty beautiful lady who enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. We will always remember your leopard skin prints, your black hat and your love of dancing not to mention bingo. You tried for as long as you were able to join in the fun of line dancing sitting on the bench tapping your toes. Gone but never forgotten. R.I.P. lovely lady
Love Jenny and Reiner xx
A beautiful service for a an amazing lady – a star on stage and in life. All our thoughts and best wishes to all the extended family, but especially of course, to our gorgeous sister in law, Robyn.
Love Dave and Jules
I had some amazing times with Doreen, we went to every social together, every Annual Bootscooting Ball, and lots of classes. She sang her Indian song to anyone who vaguely resembled an Indian. A lovely service, lots of laughs, and tears Love from Verna
Reiner and Jenny Gabsch
In loving memory of a fun loving, witty and beautiful lady who enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. We will always remember your leopard skin prints, your hat and your love of dancing and not to mention your love of bingo. You tried for as long as you were able to enjoy the fun of line dancing sitting on the bench tapping away with your feet. Gone but never forgotten. R.I.P. lovely lady
Love Jenny and Reiner
Jenny and Reiner, Mum loved going to your house for your parties, with the line dancing in the garage, she would tell me all about it! She wouldn’t miss it for the world, all you guys were so good to mum, celebrating her birthday on your Australia day parties etc. xx
To our dear friend Robyn, As we are saddened to be unable to attend today to share directly in the celebration of your beloved mum’s life, we offer this poem written by Mary Elizabeth Frye to comfort her friend who had lost her mother and was unable to attend her grave. We look forward to honouring Doreen when we can next be together. Our love and sympathy goes to all your extended family, x Kirsty, Katie, Amanda & Mary :
Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep by MEF
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am no there; I did not die.
exactly, I had a video of mum doing a slow one and pulling a face, but we didn’t have enough time lo, xx
A beautiful lady with a beautiful heart. Always smiling and tapping feet. We will miss you at the dances Doreen but you will be able to dance again now, and look down on us all and tell us what foot we are putting wrong. God bless you, miss you.
Love Kira and Jay ❤️❤️
Please accept our deepest condolences on the sad passing of your mum. Harry and I both send our very best regards to you and all your family.
Doreen was always a lovely, lively character who enjoyed her line dancing so much. It was always great to see her and it was always a marvellous surprise when she visited from Australia!
I had two ladies called Doreen in my class, so your mum was always known as ‘Doreen from Down Under.’ She would always tell me the dances she did at home and she loved learning the new dances that I taught when she was here. She always wrote a few lines to me in the Christmas card that she sent every year to say that she was still line dancing.
It was great to hear that she was still dancing and very active till the end. That was her character, wasn’t it, hated to be bored and wanted to dance!
I will tell members of my Dipton class tonight (Tuesday 8 Sept). That is the class Doreen attended and a lot will remember her. I know they will be very sad to hear of your mum’s death.
Your mum, Doreen, will be in my thoughts and prayers and I will remember her especially when I’m line dancing.
Please accept our deepest condolences on the sad passing of your mum. Harry and I both send our very best regards to you and all your family.
Doreen was always a lovely, lively character who enjoyed her line dancing so much. It was always great to see her and it was always a marvelous surprise when she visited from Australia!
I had two ladies called Doreen in my class, so your mum was always known as ‘Doreen from Down Under.’ She would always tell me the dances she did at home and she loved learning the new dances that I taught when she was here. She always wrote a few lines to me in the Christmas card that she sent every year to say that she was still line dancing.
It was great to hear that she was still dancing and very active till the end. That was her character, wasn’t it, hated to be bored and wanted to dance!
I will tell members of my Dipton class tonight (Tuesday 8 Sept). That is the class Doreen attended and a lot will remember her. I know they will be very sad to hear of your mum’s death.
Your mum, Doreen, will be in my thoughts and prayers and I will remember her especially when I’m line dancing.
loved her smile always had a smile on her face and she had a wonderful long life and she really loved life and lived life to the fullest bingo won’t be the same with Doreen not there r.i.p Doreen miss you very much
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady. I had some giggles and some tears too. She was such a very happy, fun loving lady.
I loved the Mr Cun story. I could even imagine her saying that. “Cun, without the T’?”
Plus the story driving through Armadale losing the bassinet out the car door. OMG that would have been scary at the time, but bloody hilarious to talk about now lol
Michelle and Robyn, your singing to her was just fantastic. Your Mum would have absolutely loved that.
It just goes to show what kind of person your Mum was, to have been loved & adored by so many. Her family absolutely adore her & from what was said she will definitely be missed.
If it wasn’t for this bloody COVID that room would have been bursting with people.
May your beautiful Mum RIP & I’ll bet she’ll still be dancing away up there. xx
Lovely service. Auntie Dilly ,my mum ,auntie Blanche ,and auntie Vi were all enrolled in dancing classes when they were young. Among other things they studied ballet and tap dancing. Our nan joined a dance troupe in Liverpool in her 70’s and danced in the David Lewis theatre. Auntie Dilly was in Liverpool when I had my first son and came to see me . She was also in Liverpool when I had my youngest child Tracey and came to see me with my mum. Amazing how memories pop up. Lots of love to Brenda Carl Bryan and Robyn xxxx
Beautiful service May she rest in eternal peace❤
Such a beautiful celebration of your mum Robyn. I cried and laughed when you spoke, when Michelle spoke, when Kylie spoke and Teagan. Such wonderful, funny , very personal stories from the heart I feel honoured to have meet this special woman, who touched so many hearts and had such a big personality and spirit. Keep dancing Doreen❤️xx
That was a really lovely send off!! What a woman. ❤️
Beautiful service and lovely to hear all good memories and the song . Your mum would been so proud of u all . I will always treasure memories . Thinking of u all love Kent family ❤️xxx
What an amazing and beautiful service with so many wonderful, funny and joyous stories about your Mum and Nanna. She was such an inspiration to everyone she met and was of course the world’s leopard skin fashionista!
God bless you Auntie Dilly, I love you xx
It was a beautiful service and lovely to hear all the tributes and great memories. Auntie Dilly will be greatly missed by so many people, she was a lovely woman xx
Was a beautiful service. You all gave her a good send off xx
A wonderful tribute to your mother
Beautiful send off, your mum would have loved it. Xx
It was really good to be able to be part of Doreen’s send off . she was such a lovely lady & friend & I will miss her. Thank you Robyn & family for enabling her friends to be with you all today. A lovely service. ❤
Beautifully done
Well done, she would be proud.
Beautiful service…well done
Much love XxCh and Tully
A great tribute for an amazing lady you did her proud
So sad we couldn’t all be there. Lovely service.
Beautiful send off for a wonderful friend. So proud of all the family for sharing all their special memories with us. RIP Doreen. Always in our hearts. Marie & Rodney. xxxx
Sally Graham says
The service was beautiful, i loved all the tributes and the little song, that made me cry, we all expected Doreen to live forever, a true friend always in my heart , i appreciate being able to be there in spirit and able to watch from home, Big thankyou to Robyn and family for making this possible . Till we meet again beautiful lady
In my ten years knowing Dor she loved the company of others, she loved the fast pace and she loved her family. Her fuel was laughter, cups of tea and dancing. At Robyn’s house on a Monday my memories are dinner around the round table, doing the dishes together, watching musical talent shows and being told the fastest way back to her house in Cranbourne. Dor was never old and she had such a fighting spirit It was sad to her knees and hips not keeping up with her mind and the loneliness during Covid 19 in her final months. I felt privileged to be at Doreen’s funeral as she has was the doyen of what is a special and never dull family. Her legacy of having fun will continue for sure.
From an early age & even now, Nathaniel & Lochlan Carlsen, when out shopping (I know a crazy concept in these COVID times) will comment on any animal print clothing they see – “Nana would like that!”
Nana’s style has been embedded deep, as are the memories. xx
What a wonderful service for a wonderful lady, I met Doreen affectionally called “Dilly ” in Consett England , being a close friend of her niece Lorraine, when she visited her sister Violet. She made so many friends here and line danced her way into everyone’s affection. There are many people who still ask after her and i will tell them that a wonderful, vivacious, funny , lovely lady is now line dancing in heaven . To have the love of all of extensive family must have been a joy . Love to you all Farewell “Dilly “xxx
To My Beautiful & Treasured Friend Robyn,
My thoughts are with you at this sad time. Sending you and Kyle and your family love.
Take this time to cherish the wonderful and happy times you shared with your beautiful Mum Doreen.
The memories that you hold in your heart will give you comfort through this time.
A Beautiful service for a Beautiful Lady xxxxx
A poem for your Mum…..in loving memory …..
THE DASH…………….
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.
For now that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on this earth.
And now only those that loved her will know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash.
For what matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash…….
So think about this long and hard. Are there things you would like to change?
For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged.
if we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more, and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat other with respect, and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?
Love Kerry xxx
This speech was to be read at the funeral, but we ran out of time.
Thank you so much Darren. Mum thought the world of John and yourself.
For those of you that don’t know me, my name is Darren Mitchell and I was one of Doreen’s Line Dancing teachers.
Doreen was a huge part of our classes for more than 20 years, attending our classes twice sometimes three times a week and also our monthly social gatherings. Doreen just loved her Line Dancing, it was her ‘Happy’ place and she always looked forward to getting to class to enjoy her dancing.
Doreen hated the slow dances, if I was teaching a dance, she would always ask me ‘is this slow’? sometimes my reply would be ‘yes, Doreen this is a slow dance tonight’, with that she would walk off the floor, I would say ‘Doreen where are you going’? she would turn around, look at me with her tongue poked out and say ‘I don’t like the slow dances, I’m going to get a cup of tea, tell me when you have finished’.
Most of the times Doreen would put our ‘younger’ dancers to shame, they just couldn’t keep up with her on the floor, she would never sit down, she was just amazing.
For those of you that knew Doreen, knew that she was a prankster and always enjoyed telling you a joke. Every year for my Birthday and Christmas, Doreen always bought me a bottle of aftershave, she would always say to me ‘ it’s only the cheap stuff, you make more money than me, so you can buy the more expensive brands, I’m only a pensioner’.
Doreen, we are going to miss you, Chill Factor & Badge Of Honour will always be known as ‘your dance’.
Until we meet again, keep dancing and keep telling those jokes.
Darren Mitchell
Thank you sharing this with me Jenny. xxxx
My Favorite Memories of Doreen:
I met Doreen many years ago through our mutual love of line dancing. Doreen was a fun loving remarkable woman with a great sense of humor. When I think of my favorite memories of her I had to stop and think for a while as there are so many memories starting with her love of leopard skin clothing and her famous hat that became an icon for those who knew her within the line dancing community. The ones most prominent that come to me is of a proud lady determined that nobody was going to find out her age. It was an impossible task for us to get her to come clean. It kept us guessing for many years. It didn’t matter how hard we tried to trick her she managed not to let it slip. Her answer was always “I am 47” I remember at her 80th birthday party when she introduced me to her one of her sons. Talking with him I discovered he was in fact older than the 47 years Doreen was saying she was. But she was still adamant that she was only 47. The only lady in the world to have a son before she was born. Told her she should be in the Guinness book of Records. Made her laugh but not confess.
For many years I have been having Halloween celebration parties with all dressing for the occasion and with lots of decorations. The first time I invited Doreen to come she gave me a shocked look and told me very bluntly “no I can’t come” Asking further Doreen told me she didn’t like scary things but eventually after a lot of pressure she reluctantly agreed to join us. Even though she had said she didn’t want to come she arrived at 6pm 2 hours early and caught me in the shower which made her day. We had so much fun scaring Doreen that first night but I think she really enjoyed our antics. Doreen ended up coming to everyone except last year as she was unwell. She enjoyed having her photo taken and was very theatrical with her poses and with the faces she made when someone waved a decoration her way. Usually one that made a loud screeching sound or lit up.
Doreen was a unique lady who had a great sense of humour, was loved by all of us that knew her and will be greatly missed.
Jenny Gabsch
This was to be read out at the funeral, but we ran short of time. It is from Margaret Murphy on behalf of `Bootnus’ Line dancing group.
Doreen was Everybody’s friend, Mum, Legend,and Beautiful Lady.
“Doreen, dance your heart out with all our other friends up there, you will be greatly missed by all of us from ‘Bootnus’
Sending love & gratitude to the Victorian Carlsen’s & their families, for the wonderful tribute to Mrs Carlsen. The Queensland Carlsen’s have come together to watch & celebrated tonight – ‘Mam, Nana & Mrs Carlsen’ – as her words in all our Christmas cards will stand testament to. Not many get to experience the amazing jam pack 95.6 years that Mrs Carlsen got too! We are so great full for the love & stories shared today, you should be all very proud. Carl even learnt a couple of new things about the folks. Your very “Carlsen” eulogy captured the CRAZY & more importantly the bond shared throughout the generations! So blessed to have had three months of facetiming with the fam laughing & poking out our tongues xxx R.I.P Love Carl, Nathaniel, Lochlan & Ruth
Lovely x
Lots of memories that we will cherish forever, RIP Nana xxx
xx
A wonderful farewell and beautiful tribute to a wonderful mum, nana, great nana, great great nana and friend to so many. lyn xx
xx
03/08/2020
Sending my Love and condolences to my dearest friend Robyn and family
My memories of Doreen will be held close to my heart, in so many ways she reminded me of my own grandmother.
One of my fondest memories was a holiday to Tamworth for a woman in her 90s, “sorry”!!! Doreen I mean 50s “ lol, her energy could outlast both myself and Robyn, we wanted to go home, Doreen wanted to keep partying, dancing and listening to bands, she would talk to the young, the old, police men and then give them her flirtatious grin. I wished I had half her energy!!!!
For a lady her age it was truly remarkable that she was still driving, staying out till all hours of the night line dancing, bingo, such an independent lady right up to just over a year ago.
Doreen you had such a sparkle and a zest for life that we should all be in awe, you were truly an amazing woman of your age, and you will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing you.
My dearest friend Robyn due to the circumstances I can’t be there with you today, but I send you all my Love and strength.
You have been a wonderful attentive daughter, continuing to uplift you mum , making her favorite biscuits, having arranged sky calls, musicians dedicating songs, demanding the nursing home give her those biscuits and a normal cup of tea, OR ELSE !!! Lol waiting by her bedside day and night,
Please know in your heart you did all that you could possible do to make her final days be filled with love, laughter and a peaceful passing.
Till we meet again, May you now rest in peace Doreen and continue your partying and line dancing without pain, but with eternal peace.
Such beautiful service, Doreen will be so proud of you all, her grandchildren’s tribute filled with so much Love, just beautiful!!!
Michelle, Doreen would of been dancing from above, the words to the song were so her, such a fantastic tribute.
Sending my Love and prayers to you all.
Now rest in peace Doreen xx
Love Kimmy & Family
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
03/08/2020
Sending my Love and condolences to my dearest friend Robyn and family
My memories of Doreen will be held close to my heart, in so many ways she reminded me of my own grandmother.
One of my fondest memories was a holiday to Tamworth for a woman in her 90s, “sorry”!!! Doreen I mean 50s “ lol, her energy could outlast both myself and Robyn, we wanted to go home, Doreen wanted to keep partying, dancing and listening to bands, she would talk to the young, the old, police men and then give them her flirtatious grin. I wished I had half her energy!!!!
For a lady her age it was truly remarkable that she was still driving, staying out till all hours of the night line dancing, bingo, such an independent lady right up to just over a year ago.
Doreen you had such a sparkle and a zest for life that we should all be in awe, you were truly an amazing woman of your age, and you will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing you.
My dearest friend Robyn due to the circumstances I can’t be there today, but I send you all my Love and strength
You have been a wonderful attentive daughter, continuing to uplift you mum , making her favorite biscuits, having arranged sky calls, musicians dedicating songs, demanding the nursing home give her those biscuits and a normal cup of tea, OR ELSE !!! Lol waiting by her bedside day and night,
Please know in your heart you did all that you could possible do to make her final days be filled with love, laughter and a peaceful passing.
Till we meet again, May you now rest in peace Doreen and continue your partying and line dancing without pain, but with eternal peace.
Love Kimmy D & Family
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Poem to follow:
DO NOT STAND AT MY GRAVE AND WEEP
I AM NOT THERE, I DO NOT SLEEP.
I AM A THOUSAND WINDS THAT BLOW,
I AM THE DIAMOND GLINTS ON SNOW.
I AM THE SUNLIGHT ON RIPENED GRAIN.
I AM THE GENTLE AUTUMN RAIN.
WHEN YOU AWAKEN IN THE MORNING’S HUSH
I AM THE SWIFT UPLIFTING RUSH
OF QUIET BIRDS IN CIRCLED FLIGHT.
I AM THE SOFT STARS THAT SHINE AT NIGHT.
DO NOT STAND AT MY GRAVE AND CRY;
I AM NOT THERE. I DID NOT DIE.
-Mary Elizabeth Frye
Sending my love and prayers to you all.
Such a beautiful service and reflection of Doreen’s life, she will be so proud of her family.
Michelle Doreen would of been dancing to your tribute song, absolutely fantastic.
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Thanks for adding this Kimmy, Bill didnt have time to read it out. It was so beautiful.
Bill read your poem at the gravesite which was really nice xx
RIP Doreen, a lovely lady, will be sadly missed in the line dancing community.
Beautiful service, Doreen will be in my heart forever, I will miss picking her up for bingo and I will certainly miss her funny antics’ at bingo. Never a dull moment with her that’s for sure! I would watch her feet tapping to the dance’s at line dancing, never missed a beat. Dance on beautiful lady, and hopefully you will be picking my bingo numbers from up there! Loved and missed so much!
That`s so nice Lynne, you were so good to mum, picking her up, especially when it was more difficult.
Our sympathy goes to the Carlsen family.
Beautiful service. Will always remember her sense of humour and her smile.
RIP. Love always❤️❤️
Sincere sympathy to Doreen’s family on her sad passing. Doreen was a lovely lady who lived a long life so well. Her love of line dancing and the line dancing community, her passion for life was remarkable. Beautiful tributes and eulogies from the family. Doreen would have been so proud. Treasure the happy memories. They will stay in your hearts forever.
Love Carol Porter xxxx
Thank you x
Jenny Gabsch
Beautiful tribute to an amazing Lady. You did her proud
Jenny Gabsch
Jenny Gabsch
Beautiful tribute to an amazing lady You did her proud
Love Jenny
thank you Jenny xx
What a lovely wonderful tribute to your life from family & friends Doreen. You certainly packed a lot into your years. I will miss you waving to me across the hall at Darren’s Socials & chatting to you. I loved the song Michelle wrote for you. Enjoy dancing & singing again.
thank you Lyn xx
A very beautiful service for a beautiful and very fun loving Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother.
To Robyn and to all the extended family, my sincere condolences, and may Doreen Rest In Peace.
Thanks Timmy, And also, Great Great! Grandmother! xx
Jenny and Reiner Gabsch
In loving memory of a fun loving witty beautiful lady who enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. We will always remember your leopard skin prints, your black hat and your love of dancing not to mention bingo. You tried for as long as you were able to join in the fun of line dancing sitting on the bench tapping your toes. Gone but never forgotten. R.I.P. lovely lady
Love Jenny and Reiner xx
A beautiful service for a an amazing lady – a star on stage and in life. All our thoughts and best wishes to all the extended family, but especially of course, to our gorgeous sister in law, Robyn.
Love Dave and Jules
thanks guys xxx
Love you Nana ❤️
xx
I had some amazing times with Doreen, we went to every social together, every Annual Bootscooting Ball, and lots of classes. She sang her Indian song to anyone who vaguely resembled an Indian. A lovely service, lots of laughs, and tears Love from Verna
so funny, yes would do that, lol xx
R.I.P Doreen.
xx
Much loved and respected, you will be missed by so many.
A wonderful life, lived to the full.
Rest in peace Doreen x
xx
❤️X
thanks Peter x
Reiner and Jenny Gabsch
In loving memory of a fun loving, witty and beautiful lady who enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. We will always remember your leopard skin prints, your hat and your love of dancing and not to mention your love of bingo. You tried for as long as you were able to enjoy the fun of line dancing sitting on the bench tapping away with your feet. Gone but never forgotten. R.I.P. lovely lady
Love Jenny and Reiner
Jenny and Reiner, Mum loved going to your house for your parties, with the line dancing in the garage, she would tell me all about it! She wouldn’t miss it for the world, all you guys were so good to mum, celebrating her birthday on your Australia day parties etc. xx
To our dear friend Robyn, As we are saddened to be unable to attend today to share directly in the celebration of your beloved mum’s life, we offer this poem written by Mary Elizabeth Frye to comfort her friend who had lost her mother and was unable to attend her grave. We look forward to honouring Doreen when we can next be together. Our love and sympathy goes to all your extended family, x Kirsty, Katie, Amanda & Mary :
Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep by MEF
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am no there; I did not die.
Thank you guys, mum did love it when we used to call her, she always wanted to know where Kirsty was ! lol
Now you can dance again
she certainly can thanks Genine xx
Doing chill factor with u was lot of fun & when u would say 2 me whats he (darren) doing this slow dance 4 its awful we would laugh quietly x
exactly, I had a video of mum doing a slow one and pulling a face, but we didn’t have enough time lo, xx
A beautiful lady with a beautiful heart. Always smiling and tapping feet. We will miss you at the dances Doreen but you will be able to dance again now, and look down on us all and tell us what foot we are putting wrong. God bless you, miss you.
Love Kira and Jay ❤️❤️
That is lovely. thank you x