Dorothy Tynan (Kerby)

b. 12 Apr 1930 d. 4 Oct 1988 m. 1959 Edward Tynan d. 20 May 1995

Dorothy was the fourth and youngest child of Theresa and William Kerby. Early childhood was happy in the stable and peaceful setting of 'Bonsecours', the family home.

Schooling was at the Convent of Jesus and Mary where she followed the rest of the family: For one year all four children were at the Convent. Dorothy went right through the school to School Certificate and then transferred to the Sixth Form at the Ipswich High School, for Higher School Certificate studies. Training College led to the Teachers' Certificate and then a post at a primary school in Ipswich. After two years she took up a post at St. Pancras School, the Catholic primary school attached to the parish. Here she stayed for the rest of her career.

In 1958 Dorothy married Ted Tynan, who in fact was her headmaster, and as her mother, Theresa had recently died, Dorothy and Ted settled in the old home, and provided a home `base' for Raymond who was starting his studies for the priesthood, and for Eva who was teaching away from home.

Dorothy and Ted were greatly saddened by not being able to have children, but they adopted three boys: Billy, Joe and Gerard, and made them a very happy and united family. They all became well known and prominent members of the Parish. Family holidays were often taken in the little seaside town of Southwold, where they also felt very much at home.

When Ted, who was older than Dorothy, retired, they bought a bungalow near Southwold and this became very much a second home, and an added interest for all of them.

When Dorothy reached the age of about 40, however, it was found that she was suffering from breast cancer. Major surgery followed, and after its successful completion, she was able to live a full and happy family life and to resume her teaching. By the age of 56, however, the cancer had broken out again and spread right through her bone system. As her health and strength gradually deteriorated, Dorothy and Ted were unable to maintain the old home of 'Bonsecours' and moved to a smaller house on the outskirts of Ipswich, and it was here, after a long and lingering illness, during which she was admirably looked after by Ted, that she died in October 1986.