A FORMER landlady from Darton who raised thousands for local charities died peacefully at the age of 89.
Doreen Wood, who ran the Rose and Crown in Darton for 24 years with her late husband Jack, died on April 9 following three years battling dementia in the Ward Green Lodge care home.
Doreen had three children, eldest John, Diane, and youngest child Kevin, as well as six grandchildren.
Diane, of Churchfield Gardens, said: “My mum was the eldest of eight in her family, so she was helping with the upbringing of her siblings from a young age.
“She’s done plenty of jobs through her life, from waiting in Scarborough to having a milk round around Barnsley, she’s done everything really.
“She was a fantastic table tennis player which is how she met my dad, who she was married to for 53 years.”
When the couple took over the Darton pub, they became instantly popular among locals - Doreen was even the first landlady in Barnsley to host a pub quiz.
“She raised thousands of pounds for charities across Barnsley through donations from garden parties, barn dances and other events,” Diane told the Chronicle.
“Loads of celebrities attended cheque handing over ceremonies, people like Deirdre from Coronation Street and football player Barry Murphy, so there were always people in the pub.
“She was a great singer as well, she had quite the following because of her voice.
“Even through her battle with dementia she continued to sing, entertaining other residents and her family until the end.”
