Sept. 28, 1928 - April 5, 2010SOUTH BEND - Doreen Taplin, 81, died Monday, April 5th, at 1:23 a.m. in her home. Doreen was born in Swindon, England, on September 28, 1928, to the late Frederick and Lillian (Adey) Ruddle. On January 14, 1946, in Swindon, England, Doreen married Mark M. Taplin of South Bend. He died in April 1992. She was also preceded in death by one brother, Les Ruddle. She is survived by a son, Stephen (Nancy) Taplin of New Carlisle, Indiana; a daughter, Alison of South Bend; and one granddaughter, Jennifer Taplin of New Carlisle. Also surviving are a sister-in-law in Swindon, a nephew in Surrey, England, a niece in Vienne, France, and numerous cousins in England and Australia. Doreen attended the Commonweal Academic High School in Swindon and finished her education at Central High School after coming to South Bend. World War II greatly affected her life. Because of it she met and married a man from the other side of the Atlantic. It also made her aware of things that are really important. It taught her to get along without a lot of things that are considered bare essentials today. Because of it she had the experience of being a war bride and travelling under army-like conditions to another land. Doreen was a generous and private person with a quick wit. She was an avid reader, loved Shakespeare, the symphony, gardening and the arts. She was a marvelous cook and enjoyed fine cuisine. She enjoyed collecting English antiques and travelling back to England yearly. She never abandoned her English customs and enjoyed being back on her home soil. Her favorite places were Weston, The Cotswolds, and Uphill in Somerset. Her ashes will be returned to Uphill. Doreen loved animals and had a tireless passion for animal rights. She supported numerous organizations in defense of animals. Her home and backyard became a haven for all creatures, especially homeless cats whom she rescued and nurtured over the years. She will be missed by her cats, Tigger, Thomas, Moochie and Henry. "His Eye Is On The Sparrow." Doreen retired from the St. Joseph County Public Library where she worked in the children's room and the cataloging department. This job was truly her calling. She enjoyed her work and the many friendships she made at the library. Her career began as a investigator for Pinkerton Detective Agency and also included being a proofreader at the South Bend Tribune and Bendix. She was profoundly influenced by the Anglican faith and always felt at peace in an Episcopal church. A small service will be held on Thursday, April 15th, at 5:00 p.m., with Rev. Tina Velthuizen officiating at Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, with visitation immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of St. Joseph County, to Pet Refuge, Fried's Cat Shelter of Michigan City, or to Hospice and Palliative Care of South Bend. If I should die, think only this of me; That there's some corner of a Foreign Field That is Forever England. "The Soldier" Rupert Brooke, 1915