It is with great sadness that Cannock Soroptimists – and indeed Soroptimists elsewhere in the Region and abroad – mourn the passing of their much loved Dora in her 100th year.
Dora Leighton, nee Richards, was known, loved and admired by so many people in the local area and beyond. She was born in Bridgtown, married a local man, Jim Leighton and brought up her family there. She was a teacher of dance, travelling to youth clubs throughout Staffordshire; so many Cannock people were taught to dance by Dora. Even when she stopped teaching she continued to do her dance exercises regularly. In her early 90s she was still able to do the splits: though she said she had to do them at the side of the bed so that she had something to hold onto to get her up! She was most upset with herself because she could no longer kick her leg above her shoulder!
Dora was a Soroptimist for over 47 years, having joined SI Cannock & District in January 1968; she was President in 1974/75 and again in 1981/82 and was made an Honorary member in 2005. Dora was always an active member of the club, getting involved in everything – her interest never diminished. She attended her last SI meeting on September 22nd of this year.
For those 47 years Dora attended almost every event, whatever it was: she helped to distribute leaflets, sold raffle tickets, collected goods for women victims of domestic violence, had petitions signed, wrote to her MP, held group meetings at her home; she never shied away from difficult or disturbing issues, she always promoted educating, empowering and enabling women. She showed a keen interest in International projects and wrote often to Soroptimists in Australia and the Philippines, sharing ideas and friendship; until about 8 years ago Dora attended the annual UK conferences: she was always keen to learn.
Dora supported Midland Chase Region and until very recently she attended the quarterly meetings as well as Charter Dinners for other clubs within the Region. At club level she gave her total support to the President and to all club projects; she was an active participant in all club discussions, putting forward her thoughts and views with care and eloquence.
And on top of all this, Dora had a fabulous sense of humour! She could laugh at herself and with others and could always be relied upon to tell a few jokes – remembered accurately and delivered with panache – or tell stories about her many and varied experiences. Club members were treated to some of these stories very recently when, as part of President Lynne’s initiative for all members to learn a little more about each other, she gave a potted history of her own life, having everyone laughing with the story of the train taking her and new husband Jim to London on their honeymoon during WW2 being involved in the blitz! Only Dora would have found so much humour in an event like that.
Dora was a positive role model for so many: she loved life, respected all people, had a wonderful sense of humour and an infectious laugh. To say that she will be missed is something of an understatement, but the plus side is that everyone who met her gained something positive and precious from her. Cannock Soroptimists are proud to have known her and that she was a member of their club, she will be remembered with love and gratitude.
Photo attached: Dora Leighton on her 99th birthday, April 3rd 2015