Dr Philomena Dineen

It is with deepest regret that we announce the passing, in Ireland, of Dr Philomena Dineen, former Headmistress at Woldingham School (1985 – 1997). She had been suffering from cancer for some time and had recently moved to a hospice.

Dr Dineen

A former lecturer in English and Education at Digby Stuart College and subsequently Head of St Bede’s in Redhill, Dr Dineen became the first secular Headmistress at Woldingham when the school was handed over by the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1985.  She was deeply sensitive to the effect this fundamental change had on the old girls who had attended Woldingham under the nuns, as well as on the serving staff and her enormous material contribution to the school stands as a monument to her energy, vision and dedication.  The Sports Hall, the Science Block, Berwick House and the new Art Centre were all completed and the Millennium Centre well advanced when she retired in 1997.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband, Peter and all her friends, at this sad time.

Her funeral was held on Thursday 12 June in Ireland at St Finstans’, Sutton, Dublin.  In attendance: Philip Walton, Cait Clarke, Celia Berwick, Nick Gras, Sr Mary Totton, Dominic Murtagh, Judith Brown

A memorial service will be held at Woldingham on 19 October.  Further details will be published as soon as they become available.

The following tribute was read by her family at her funeral:

Phil was the centre of our family of nine.

When we were young she inspired us with her love of learning and her dedication to helping others.  At night she told us wonderful stories about all of the books she read and recited long lists of prayers before we went to sleep.  During the warm summer days she led us in many adventures through the fields and the bog as we picked blackberries or looked for birds’ nests.  At night she loved to gather the neighbours to our kitchen where we sang and danced as my father played the tin whistle.

She carried this love of life and amazing enthusiasm into her adult life.  Success came easily to Phil because she had a deep passion for what she was doing for people and an unwavering belief she could do it.  People who met her remember how interested she was in them and how her interest inspired them in their lives.  They remember her energy, her enthusiasm and her generosity of spirit.

Phil made everyone in the family feel special.  She adored all her nieces and nephews as if they were her own children and gave them long holidays in Woldingham (the name of her house in Ireland) always with Peter’s willing help.

Phil died as she lived:  in life, she accomplished all the projects of her life with ease.  Facing death and preparing for it was her final challenge and she did it with joy and total acceptance.

Phil and Peter were lucky to have found each other – they were kindred spirits.  He devoted his life to her and watched over her day and night especially during her final illness.  We know how difficult this parting is for Peter, but I’m sure he knows that family and friends are there to support him.

Phil you have left us with wonderful memories.  May you rest forever in the peace and love of God.

Slάn leat Phil