Date of Birth:
Friday, July 2, 1915
Date of Death:
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Age:
96 years old

Doreen Montgomery Predmore

The funeral for Doreen Predmore will be at 10:30AM, Friday, October 21, 2011 at Marion Church of Christ in Marion, MN with Pastor Rick Walston officiating.  Burial will follow in the Marion Cemetery.  A visitation will be held from 5pm – 8pm on Thursday, October, 20^th in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Mrs. Predmore, 96 of Marion MN died Tuesday, October 18^th at Sunrise Cottages in Rochester surrounded by her husband, Russell and family members.  Russell and Doreen had been residents at Sunrise Cottages since February 2011.  Mrs. Predmore had been in declining health following a fall in July when she suffered a hip fracture.

Doreen was born July 2, 1915 in Belfast, North Ireland.  She was the only child of Robert and Jeanne Montgomery.  After graduating from high school in Belfast, she attended business college where she majored in accounting.  She was employed as a bookkeeper and typist for Albion Clothing in Carrickfergus, North Ireland from September 1, 1933 until April 30, 1946.  Being a true Irish lass, green was her favorite color.

Doreen met her husband, Russell, at the Antrim Road Baptist Church in Belfast in 1944.  Russell was in the U.S. Army and stationed in Belfast during World War II.  They were married about a year later on July 23, 1945 at the Antrim Road Baptist Church in Belfast.  Russell had been transferred to Scotland, but was able to return to Belfast for a few days to be married.  Following the marriage, and after obtaining a pass from the local constable, Doreen was able to return to Scotland to spend a few days with Russell before he was transferred to the European Theater and then to the Pacific Theater where he remained until the end of the War.

Russell and Doreen did not see each other again until mid 1946 when Doreen came to America on the “bride ship,” the Queen Elizabeth, leaving England on May 4, 1946.  Russell met her in New York and brought her home to Marion, MN where she was warmly welcomed by the Marion community.  She became particularly close to Verleen Neal who became a lifelong friend and confidant.

Russell and Doreen settled in Marion where they raised their three children, Lawrence, Raymond and Maureen.  Doreen was a lifelong member of the Marion Church of Christ.  She was also a member of the WCTU, and the Marion Church Missionettes.  After Russell’s retirement from the US Postal Service, she and Russell were active members of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE).

Russell and Doreen spent many wonderful summers at their summer home on Long Lake near Park Rapids where they were frequently joined by children and grandchildren.  Doreen was a loving wife, wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.  She was always a kind, gentle, loving person (unless you got her “Irish up”).  She was an avid lover of dogs and spent many happy days in the company of her Dobermans, Paddy and Damon.  Doreen enjoyed collecting bells, her favorite being a Waterford Crystal bell she got in 1996 when she visited Ireland with her husband, son and daughter.  She was able to make four return visits to Ireland in her lifetime.

Doreen is survived by her husband of 67 years, Russell Predmore.  Her children, Lawrence (Susan) Predmore of Predmore, MN.  Raymond (Pam) Predmore and daughter, Maureen (Jim) Newell of Marion, MN.  Her 7 grandchildren, Sarah (Cini Morn) Predmore, Ryan (Melinda) Predmore, Kelly (Todd) Predmore Rodgers, Robert Predmore, Jessica (Luke) Wittkop, Ira (Gina) Newell and Laura (Ryan) Lowry.  Her great-grandchildren are Kacy, Eric and Ray Morn, Aaron Wittkop and Aria Newell.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.  On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com