Maureen fell ill shortly before Christmas and passed away at her home on 15th January with both her sons Craig and Gareth by her side.
Since Maureen’s passing, the Club has been inundated with tributes for Maureen and condolences for the family, such was the level of popularity, respect and esteem that Maureen held within the local RU Community, the Clubs in Yorkshire and beyond and of course, at the County.

Yesterday, the Mini Junior section held a moving minutes silence in memory of Maureen and in recognition of all she has done for the MJ’s in over 30 years of loyal service.
The Club will also be remembering Maureen with a minutes silence at the next 1stXV home match v Billingham on 8th February 2025. There will also be a tribute to Maureen in the Match programme.
It has to be said that the Club will greatly miss Maureen and we truly appreciate all that Maureen has done for Hull Ionians RUFC.
On behalf of all at the Club, I would like to pass on our sincerest condolences to hers sons, Craig & Gareth.

Video of Mini Junior Tribute to Maureen

I would like to thank John Doris, MJ Chairman 2005-2011, for providing the following tribute to Maureen.

Maureen’s involvement with Hull Ionians transcends many generations of players and managers and her contribution to the Club has been immense. It began over 35 years ago when she brought her sons Craig and Gareth to play rugby at the Club and she soon became involved with managing their teams and organising tours. Maureen’s organisational skills and genuine desire to help led her rapidly to take on the critical task of arranging the Club’s Mini Junior fixtures which she did since 1994, an amazing 31 years. Even before spreadsheets and mobile phones, Maureen somehow managed the many complexities of arranging referees, changing rooms, pitch allocations, food and contacting other clubs. And then there were all the rugby tournaments, festivals and tours that she organised. Maureen helped ensure that our MJ section was one of the best organised and most successful in Yorkshire.
When Maureen’s son Gareth played in the Yorkshire Colts she extended her Club role by also becoming involved with organising the County U17s and U18s games, fixtures and tours. Long after her sons ceased playing rugby and had left home Maureen continued with both her Hull Ionians’ and Yorkshire roles and was a great servant to both Club and County.
It is fair to say that after her family the rugby community was a mainstay of Maureen’s life. After a successfully organised fixture she would frequently be found at the bar at Brantingham Park relaxing with a Pinot Grigio in hand and chatting with everyone.
Maureen was a steadfast support to many Mini Junior chairmen. Her hard work and dedication frequently went unnoticed but enabled thousands of boys, girls, men and women to enjoy and develop their rugby throughout Yorkshire and beyond. As Yorkshire RFU have said, Maureen was the “ Queen of Hull Ionians”.

All of us at the Club pass on our deepest sympathies to Maureen’s family and in particular to her sons Craig and Gareth. She will be greatly missed.

Funeral arrangements are as follows:
6th February 2025, 1.30pm @ All Hallows Church, Walkington & afterwards @ Brantingham Park.
Dress Code is Club/County ties or a touch of blue.

Please note that the Church at Walkington can only accommodate 140 plus some standing and, the family and close friends will take priority in the seating at the Church.
Hull Ionians will be streaming/showing the funeral at Brantingham Park, for those that wish to watch it there instead of attending the Church.

Chris Taylor
Secretary
Hull Ionians RUFC