Page 51 - QARANC Vol 19 No 1 2021

The Gazette QARANC Association 49
Obituaries
Henrietta
Deerin RRC TD
1 September 1939 – 9 September 2020
Henrietta Deerin (known as Retta) was born and raised in Arrochar, Argyll and Bute. The younger of two siblings, her father was a railway signalman and her mother had been a gardener at Alnwick Castle.
She trained as a Registered General Nurse at Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI) from 1958 – 1961, followed immediately by training as a Registered Midwife. On qualifying, she was appointed as a Staff Nurse to the General and Plastic Surgery Ward at GRI before moving to Kingston Hospital, Surrey in 1964 to complete a course in Accident and Emergency Nursing. She was employed as a Staff Nurse in the Operating Theatre at Beckenham Hospital, Kent (now closed) for a short period, before returning to GRI as one of the first nursing sisters appointed to the newly opened Major Accident Unit, the first of its type in Scotland.
In 1972 Retta was appointed as an Assistant Matron with Nuffield Hospitals based in Glasgow with a ‘trouble shooting’ role throughout the company, which involved working at the hospitals in Bristol, Edinburgh, Enfield, Hull, Plymouth and Taunton. She was promoted to Matron in 1975 before becoming General Manager of the Nuffield Hospital, Glasgow until her retirement in 1998. She helped to establish the Assisted Conception Unit with Dr Robert A Low, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (who gave the eulogy at the funeral). This was the first unit of its kind in the Nuffield organisation and, as a joint enterprise with the NHS, it left an ongoing legacy of collaboration between private and public health services.
Retta served as a Nursing Officer with 205 (Scottish) General Hospital RAMC (V) from 1973 – 1986, completing her career as Matron in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Her dedication and service were recognised when she was awarded the Royal Red Cross and the Territorial Decoration. Her mentorship and professionalism were renowned, with military and civilian nurses
speaking highly of their experiences of working with her.
Retta became a founding Director of the Arrochar and Tarbet Community Development Trust in 2003 when it formed from a Community Development Association where she had previously been Company Secretary and Treasurer. She was a true champion of her community, and the funding, construction and operation of the Three Villages Community Hall, Arrochar in 2010 was one of her many achievements with the Trust. She was involved throughout every stage, including the opening ceremony led by HRH Prince Charles The Duke of Rothesey. She was also a staunch supporter of Poppyscotland and the QA Association.
Retta had a wide circle of friends which she met with regularly. Any other spare time was spent listening to audio books and completing crosswords and
puzzles, her favourite being solitaire on her iPad.
Retta’s funeral was held at Arrochar Parish Church, Argyll and Bute where she had been a committed and dedicated Elder. Testament to her engaging personality, the funeral was well attended by family, and many friends and colleagues across all the charities and organisations she had been involved with. This was achieved within the restrictions of COVID-19 and many people lined the streets of Arrochar. The piper within the Scottish Branch, Captain Catherine Pounder, was honoured to play at the funeral. This was a fitting tribute as Catherine serves with 205 (Scottish) Field Hospital (Army Reserve).
Retta is survived by a nephew, two nieces and their families.
Sheila Jones
Secretary, Scottish Branch