Memories of Doreen Forman (Howell) was recorded on 10 December 2000, covering some events and recollections from Doreen’s life.
Doreen, born in Westport, was the eldest child in her family. She had two Deaf brothers, Mervyn and Ray. Doreen attended Sumner School for the Deaf for ten years, from 1921 to 1930 and experienced the Napier earthquake on 3rd February, 1931. After working several years and being laid off, she set up her own dressmaking business working from home under the name of ‘Doreen Forman Dressmaker’. She met her future husband Maxwell (Max) Howell who was also Deaf at the Wellington Deaf Club and they married in June 1948. One month later they attended a function to celebrate Helen Keller’s visit to Wellington. They had two Deaf children, Pam Witko and Garry Howell. Doreen and Max played Indoor Bowls for the Deaf for many years. She was a life member of the Wellington Deaf Society. At time of her 100th, Doreen had 9 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. She spent 60 years of her life living in Paraparaumu.
The memories of Doreen Forman were recorded on videotape at Pam and Kaz Witko’s house by Rachel McKee in 2000. Doreen passed away peacefully on Thursday 19 May 2016 at 101 years old.
