A celebration of the life of a “beautiful, fun, and funny” woman will take place this month after she died aged 93.

Doreen Elizabeth Alexander, who was a "Watford girl her whole life", passed away in Portland Oregon having moved there after becoming ill.

Her daughter Samantha is hoping to reach out to anyone who knew her mother who may want to attend the service.

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Samantha said: “Doreen was beautiful, fun and funny, loved to enjoy life, she danced any chance she got and brought a great deal of joy to all that knew her.

“She leaves behind many wonderful memories for her huge, loving family and extended family and many, many friends.”

Doreen died in her bed with her daughter and two of her granddaughters by her side.

Her son and three grandsons still live in the Watford area.

Doreen owned Town Driving School and later became a relief pub manager around Watford, London Colney, Witham and Rochford.

Watford Observer: Doreen Elizabeth AlexanderDoreen Elizabeth Alexander

The celebration of her life will be held at West Herts Crematorium, in High Elms Lane, on July 29 at 11am.

She first married Alec York but the pair later divorced, years later she married Watford real estate agent Richard Alexander.

Doreen and Richard then pooled their resources to find work they could do together in semi-retirement to begin as relief pub managers - which run pubs short-term while landlords are away.

Watford Observer: Doreen Elizabeth AlexanderDoreen Elizabeth Alexander

Samantha added: “Because of both of their outgoing, friendly, hardworking personalities they were in big demand.

“They were very successful and ended up working harder than ever.

“But they loved the work and did it so well it was a long time until they finally did retire.”

Watford Observer: Doreen Elizabeth AlexanderDoreen Elizabeth Alexander

After Richard died, Doreen eventually met Edward Cook, an old childhood friend of her first husband and they became companions living in Bromet Close for a few years.

This lasted until she became ill and moved to the States to be with her daughter.

Doreen was born on March 22, 1927, and died on May 15, 2020.

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