Tribute to Sarah McLean, 1941 - 2026

Dot was a lovely kind person. More like a sister than a cousin. Always there when I needed somebody to talk to. I will miss her a lot.

Dear Aunty Dot, I still cannot believe you have left us, but we take comfort in knowing you are with Uncle Bobby and no doubt bossing him around and telling him exactly what to do! One of my favourite childhood memories is our wonderful trip to Ireland to spend Christmas with our Irish family in 1987. You took such joy in showing us around Belfast, which included many trips to the toy shops for Mark and Andrea and many hours in the clothing shops for Karen and I. You fed us with as many chocolates, Christmas cake and sweets (bon-bons from the local corner shop) as our bellies could handle! Not to mention the chippy!! We also loved our holidays to Kruger and the Drakensberg when you, Uncle Bobby and Robert came to visit us in South Africa. You hated all the little "beasties" and would lather yourself in enough repellent to keep any insect at least a 20 mile radius away! I especially loved how you bossed Dad around - I never knew anyone who could tell him what to do quite like you could. Dad always said you were the "bossy boots" of the family and he was absolutely spot on! But that was part of your charm. It came from a place of love and looking after everyone. You took such pride in your family, especially your grandchildren, Harry and Katie, whom you absolutely adored and couldn't wait to tell us about their many achievements. I will miss our conversations where you would enthusiastically fill me in on Karen's latest wardrobe additions or romantic interests. I will miss watching you boss Dad and Aunty Hazel around. But most of all, I will miss you. Thank you for the wonderful memories. You will be forever loved and deeply missed. Amanda & Family xxx

To all the McLeans, and especially Hazel, Robert, Claire, Harry and Katie. Justin and I send our most heartfelt condolences to you all at this very sad time. Aunty Dot leaves a legacy of fun naughtiness, spoiling, a love of South African Kruger trips and extreme tanning in the sun - and she always had a ready supply of treats and sweeties. She sometimes pretended to be fierce - and did, in spite of her tiny frame, manage to boss my dad around occasionally - but we all know she was too kind and caring to maintain that image for too long. We will all miss her chirps, but even now just thinking about her makes me smile. Thank you to her for all the amazingly lovely memories I have - including my first European Christmas sneaking down to town for toy shopping (via the perfume counter for a quick touchup). Much love to you all. Mark and Justin Cape Town, South Africa

Oh Auntie Dot you were always one to be dashing off in haste, but we could never have expected you to leave us so soon. I still find it hard to believe you are gone for you have been a beloved constant in our lives. My earliest memory of you is when I was around 3, you were singing Away In a Manger to me as Christmas was approaching. You were always as excited about Christmas as us kids were and you, Uncle Bob and Robert were as much a part of our Christmas as Santa! You made the best Christmas cake in the world and I bet John has already put in an order for one in heaven as he loved it too. I was blessed to have you as my Auntie and I will cherish forever all the times we shared, all my sleepovers at Ingledale, the Coke floats and ice lollies and my first bike that you gave me, the way you would shout at the people on the telly as if they could hear you, especially the Saturday afternoon wrestlers! You were kind, fun, honest and I will miss you until we meet again, and we will some glorious day! Linda x

For my beloved Aunty Dot, the day you left this world was a huge shock and such a void is left in our family. You were very much loved and adored. I’m so grateful for all the special and wonderful times we had together, especially last July and my most recent visit home. You were the golden snitch of the family, no dress or shoe purchase was ever top secret for Aunty Dot shared the news across the world as far as to my parents in Australia! That’s why we loved you so, you were always kind, caring and loving and needed to know all the buzz. Now who is going to share my Belfast shopping expedition secrets now? My bond with you started at my birth in Belfast, you were Aunty Dot the spoiler and probably you gave me my sweet tooth, secretly feeding me chocolate as a baby, taking me for walks in my pram. My heart aches to have you back with us but I know you are safe and well in heaven and will still be keeping a watchful eye on mine and Aunty Hazel’s shopping expeditions. Sincere condolences and all my love to Robert, Claire, Harry, Katie, Aunty Hazel and my Dad, Des Rountree, for the great loss of a beautiful mother, grandmother and sister. Aunty Dot will be treasured in my heart always and I shall always fondly think of our adventures together last July. Rest in peace my beloved and very special Aunty Dot until we meet again ♥️

Aunty Dot and Uncle Bob were like another mum and dad to us as children and throughout our lives. Aunty Dot had a way of making the simplest thing seem very special to us, as a child I wouldn't drink milk but aunty Dot put strawberry flavouring in it and I loved it, as babies and toddlers she did everything our mum did, fed us, bathed us put us to bed, we were privileged to have such a special aunty so close by, there isn't enough space here to rhyme off a lifetime of lovely memories. Aged 7 she taught me to ride my bicycle, I became a club cyclist and remained a cyclist all my life. Easter and although Bob couldn't take us to the Circuit of Ireland rally she had us up to stay over and follow the rally on Downtown radio, there was always music on in her house and she would sing along to her favourite numbers on the radio. Aunty Dot had her own son Robert but still included us in everything she could right into our adult years, my lasting memory in recent years was how I would leave Ingledale, she would wave me off from her front door, I'd put my window down and shout 'bye', Dot always called out 'cheerio son'. I'm sorry to have now lost both my aunty Dot and uncle Bob but they have made a massive impression on my life and left me with the most lovely memories and another brother in Robert. Resting in peace with her Bobby now and that is comforting.

Deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our beloved Auntie Dot. Left with a lifetime of cherished memories of growing up with Auntie Dot and Uncle Bob as kids, our second mum and dad. Fondly remembering weekend sleepovers when they lived next door, Christmas get togethers and family summer holidays on the North Coast with the McLean clan. They are greatly missed and forever in our thoughts. Deepest sympathy to Robert, Claire, Harry and Katie at this very sad time. With much love from David and family xxx 'Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.'

Dorothy, known to us all as Dot, was my dearly loved sister who I had the privilege of spending 82 years of my life with. With just 22 months between us and being my only sister we had a special bond which continued throughout our lives. We spent more time together over the past few years supporting each other over the loss of our husbands which brought us closer than ever. She has left behind a lifetime of special memories which I will treasure forever. You will always be in my thoughts. Love Hazel.

Dorothy was a much loved sister, sister-in-law and aunt to us all. We will cherish the special memories we have of her. Sending our love and sympathy to Robert, Claire, Harry and Katie at this sad time. From the family circle at home and abroad.

I am I and you are you, whatever we were to each other that we still are. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? Life means all that it ever meant, it is the same as it ever was.

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