Chapter Care's Founder: Gwen Dockrell

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On 7 January 1949 Gwendoline Jean Duke was born in Edmonton, North London. 

The fourth of seven children she was born into a poor household where meals were not regular, but beatings were. Home was a rat and cockroach infested flat above a shop beside the railway in which she shared a bed with her sisters. She wore hand-me-down clothes and shoes with holes in the soles and in her entire childhood had just one new dress (blue with multi-coloured spots) which she treasured. She often went hungry and presents at Christmas and on other occasions were rare.

The household duties were shared by Gwen’s mum and all the children. At the age of nine Gwen had to do the weekly washing, by hand, the old way using wooden tongs to stir the washing in a copper of very hot water then using the tongs take the heavy linen out and wring it through a hand wound mangle. She often had to look after her two younger sisters, one in a pram, taking them to the local park with jam sandwiches and water for lunch. She also had to run errands and do other jobs around the home. Suffice to say that today, what she had to endure, would constitute abuse but then times were what they were. Britain was recovering from the second world war, rationing was still in place. The best had to be made of whatever was available.

Dyslexia made her school life difficult so Gwen would play truant which led to more beatings from her father. 

Gwen left home at the age of fifteen and married her first husband, while still in her teens. Three children completed her own family which over time grew with the addition of seven grandchildren and only this year one great-granddaughter who regrettably Gwen never got to see. To support her family Gwen not only looked after their home but in addition did several jobs every day including care work and night work to the extent, she was often exhausted. Her family though came first and wanted for nothing. She dedicated her life to ensuring that her children and her grandchildren had what she never did. Her love for them was absolute and unconditional. 

The Gwen we all new was forged out of this beginning. She became devoted to her family and to caring. A few house moves followed resulting in the family settling on the edge of the green belt in the village of Farningham in Kent. A place and a home Gwen loved. While living in Farningham, Gwen took a break from care work. She was able to find an administrative post at County Hall in Maidstone where she met John and they became friends. 

Gwen’s husband became unwell in the late 1990’s and wanted to move to Devon which meant that Gwen left County Hall. They moved into a small cottage in Wembworthy which Gwen hated and in which she couldn’t settle. She missed her children and grandchildren in Kent so much she frequently drove the 500-mile round trip just to see them. Eventually Gwen’s marriage deteriorated and they parted. 

Although not divorced Gwen lived alone in Atherington and occupied herself by walking, gardening, visiting friends and almost every evening line dancing which she very quickly learned to do by taking lessons. These pastimes merely filled time though and she suffered a nervous breakdown resulting from the loss of her marriage and as she put it, her future. Whilst in this terrible state John appeared on her doorstep also suffering from a nervous breakdown. Gwen took him in and the carer in her kicked in. She nursed John through his troubles and then said he could share her cottage for six months while he sorted himself out. As she made clear she no longer trusted men and did not want another one in her life.

The friendship between them developed and the six month time limit was forgotten. They made new lives for themselves individually and together in so doing forming a strong bond. They married in St Mary’s Church in Atherington in 2008. They were very much in love and from then on inseparable.

Gwen worked locally as a care worker firstly for Devon County Council and then for private commercial providers. At the age of 59, Gwen went home one evening and said to John that she wanted to start her own care agency as she was fed up with seeing old folk left wanting from the services they were receiving. She wanted to do it properly. She stuck to her guns, underwent a long process of qualification to become a registered manager with the Care Quality Commission and started Chapter Care with just £250 behind her in the same year as she married John. It is testimony to her tenacity and her strength that Chapter Care (North Devon) Ltd as it became is still here and has grown substantially. Now managed by Helen and Jeff, the company stands as a shining beacon to Gwen’s standards which Helen still rigidly applies. 

Gwen was 71 when she died on 20 July following a severe stroke and a short stay in hospital. Her death was completely unexpected, but she was not in pain and knew nothing about what was happening to her when she departed this life. 

It is perhaps both helpful and comforting to remember that Gwen died while at the pinnacle of her achievements. Successful as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother she was also a successful businesswoman and mentor and a good and loyal friend to many people. She had attained her life’s dream in founding her business and she had travelled the world. She was someone who devoted her life to helping countless others in whatever way she could and as many people have said she touched the hearts of all who knew her. As for herself she was settled in a home she absolutely adored. She was satisfied, retired, happy and content. She spent time gardening, reading, in the company of friends and doing her jigsaws. She loved the theatre and meals out, particularly at The Park Hotel where she was well known and loved. Looking forward, Gwen was planning holidays to get out and about exploring more of the UK next year. To her though north Devon was home and she wanted to live here for the rest of her days. Her wish was granted.

WE MISS HER