Hazel Dolling
| Hazel Dolling | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 June 1923 |
| Died | 24 April 2006 (aged 82) |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | School of St Mary and St Anne, Abbots Bromley, Staffordshire |
| Spouse(s) | Harry Dolling (1970-1986; his death) |
Hazel Marion Radclyffe Dolling (née Staples; 13 June 1923–24 April 2006) was the châtelaine of Lissan House, a stately home near Cookstown, Northern Ireland. Lissan is set at the foot of the Sperrin Mountains. Dolling was the last surviving member of the Staples family.
Her father was Sir Robert Staples, 13th Baronet of Lissan and Faughanvale. Her grandfather was Sir Robert Staples, 12th Baronet, who was a well-known painter.
She was educated at the School of St Mary and St Anne, Staffordshire, England. She then worked as an air radio mechanic during World War II and was a third officer in the Women's Royal Naval Service.
Afterwards she worked as an assistant purser on the Southampton-New York route of the Cunard Line ships, RMS Mauretania, "RMS Queen Mary" and "RMS Caronia". Later, she owned a travel agency in Liverpool. After selling it, she moved to London. In 1970 her father died, and she married his land agent Harry Holbeche Radclyffe Dolling, who was 30 years older than she was. He was also a cousin. They moved to Lissan House to live with Hazel's mother. Harry Dolling died in 1986 and Hazel Dolling lived the rest of her life alone at Lissan without electricity, excepting that which was generated by the water turbine (which had been purchased second hand in 1902) at her house. She had to use a gas canister to cook food. When she went driving down her 1-mile-long avenue she always kept a chainsaw in her car boot in case the avenue was blocked by any trees that had fallen. She once attempted to create a bank account, and was told to bring an electricity bill for identity purposes. She replied "but I have never had an electricity bill."
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