Doris Spence
Passed away suddenly but peacefully, August 4, 2015. She was born October 8th, 1939 and is survived by her husband Alan, and her sons Neal and Sam.
Doris was still working full time in Early Years Education at Crossens Nursery School, a vocation she had passionately followed for over 50 years, both here and abroad.
The Funeral to celebrate Doris' life will take place at Southport Crematorium on Friday 14th October at 10.40 a.m. and afterwards at Hesketh Golf Club. The Spence family respectfully ask that any donations in lieu of flowers, are sent to Freshfields Animal Rescue. All enquiries to H. Johnson & Sons Ltd., 147 Roe Lane, Churchtown, Southport, PR9 7PW. Tel: 01704 227067.
Doris and Alan Spence were residents of Saudi Aramco from 1990 to 2000, Alan working with the Recreation Dept and Doris working at the British International School of Al-Khobar. It was during this time that Doris and a colleague decided that the sorry plight of many animals in and around Al-Khobar urgently needed attention.
Doris enlisted the help of a number of expats who were working in Aramco and who had similar levels of compassion for the discarded, unwanted and often abused animals who were in the area. As a result, PAWS (People's Animal Welfare Society) was founded and many people were happy to either donate, volunteer or both, especially in housing and nursing sick and injured animals. PAWS grew and grew and still to this day is active. Even after Doris left the Kingdom in 2000, she kept in touch with the work that the organization was taking on.
Doris passed away suddenly and peacefully on August 4th 2015, but will always be remembered for her selfless commitment to the animal welfare cause. Many animals, including her own cat Rocky, are living relative lives of luxury world-wide thanks to the work that PAWS has accomplished. At the time of her passing, Doris was still educating young children full-time, as well as volunteering at Freshfields Animal Rescue Centre. She had recently gone to the Born Free Foundation in South Africa to support the animal conservation programmes there, and in 2010 travelled to Rwanda to see the endangered mountain gorillas. She was already planning her next trip when her life ended so suddenly.
Doris Spence is survived by her husband Alan Spence and her two adult sons, David and Sam.
When Doris left Dhahran, Saudi Arabia in the year 2000, PAWS had a total membership of 213 Paid Up Members.