Tributes paid to Coleraine woman honoured by Queen for community work following IRA murder of her 21-year-old police officer daughter
Tributes have been paid to a Coleraine woman honoured by the late Queen Elizabeth II for her community work following the death of her 21-year-old police officer daughter who was murdered by the IRA.
Jean Doak BEM died peacefully at Causeway Hospital in Coleraine on February 3.
Mrs Doak received the BEM in 2017 for voluntary work and services to the community in Coleraine. Speaking to local Press at the time, Mrs Doak said she believed that working in the community helped her deal with the ‘dark days’ following the murder of her daughter Tracy.
21-year-old Tracy Doak was one of four RUC officers killed in 1985 by a 1,000 IRA bomb placed in a trailer near the road in Killeen, Newry. Their armour-plated patrol car was escorting a security vehicle taking money to a bank in Belfast.
Tracy’s funeral service was held in Ballywatt Presbyterian Church, where she was due to have married the following September.
Jean's husband Beattie was a founder member of the RUC George Cross Parents' Association, a voluntary group set up in 2003 to promote fellowship between parents of RUC officers killed by terrorists.
The director of victims’ group SEFF, Director Kenny Donaldson said: “We are devastated at learning of the passing of Jean Doak BEM (mother of Tracy Doak).
"Jean and her husband Beattie are deeply respected across the SEFF and Police families, but also far beyond.
"Jean’s infectious personality and zest for life was just a joy to behold. I know that several of my colleagues in The Advocacy Team will also feel personal sadness at this news.
"The Doaks were an integral part of the Parents’ Group within the RUC GC and offered themselves in service in helping promote the good name of the organisation.
"In May of last year and in marking the 40th anniversary since the murder of Tracy and colleagues at Killen, outside Newry, SEFF facilitated an event in partnership with the RUC GC at the Memorial Gardens located at Knock, Belfast, also attended by The Chief Constable and the then PSNI Commander of the Newry and Mourne area.
"Poignantly the son of Michael Kay, another member of the RUC GC murdered weeks prior to Tracy in Newry, was also present (Michael Kay Jnr).
"This was a special meeting and the most natural of connections. Tracy had cared for young Michael in the aftermath of his Daddy being murdered and he had viewed Tracy as an ‘Angel’ at that difficult time.
"Jean’s loss is immeasurable within the Police and SEFF families but more than anything, her loss will be most painfully felt by her own immediate family including husband Beattie. We hold them in prayer at this time of profound sadness.”
In a family notice, Mrs Doak is described as the “dearly loved wife of Beattie, treasured mother of Alistair, Amanda, Alison and the late Tracy, mother-in-law of Lynne, Andy and Derek, much loved grandmother of Gregory (Dana), Christopher, Megan (Brage), Benjamin, Calum, Abigail, Samuel, Jonathan (Maria) and Wesley, great-grandmother of Yousef and Dalia and dear sister of Norman and the late Thelma, Kenneth and Rodney”.
A service of thanksgiving will be held in Ballywatt Presbyterian Church on Saturday, February 7, at 2.30pm followed by interment in the adjoining Churchyard.