Doris Nina "Dor" BARKER [665]

  General Notes:

Doris was a nurse, she did not marry.

Reminiscences on Dor by Christine Cole-Catly.
Second in the family was Dossie, Dor, Doris Nina Barker, my second mother. There were times when she monopolised me, as Eina has said ruefully, though with understanding.
2005

Reminiscences on Dor by Judith McKenzie.
Doris Nina Barker (Dor) ran a convalescent home (Peter Pan) for children of the relatively wealthy, a place where children could stay post-operatively, (tonsils, appendicitis) and where children with minor behaviour problems could be helped to behave better through days of regular activity and healthy foods.
I was sent to stay most summer holidays from the age of five so that I could benefit from the sea air, and be a model child! We started each day with a glass of cold water, and half an apple. All meals had to be eaten in their entirety. Discipline was strict and I longed to be home with my loving laughing family.
Dor was tall, nearly 6', angular and pedantic of phrase. She read, did crosswords, and most of the work at "Peter Pan". Her partner, Nan Wilson was a qualified nurse. Dor had not been able to complete her nursing training.
She was a big woman, clear and explicit in her directions. She was a close friend of my mother Eileen but I could not get close to her. Dor lost a fiance in WWI, he was in the Navy. I guess she was largely an unhappy woman. Maybe I should never have been chosen to be a model child !
2005

  Other Records

1. Doris "Dos" Barker: Images from her life.
Circa 1904; as a young women; at her business "Peter Pan"; afternoon tea ? Dos on right.

2. Doris Nina Barker: Will, 23 Apr 1959.
Dor left her estate to Christine Bull.