Sponsored by
Lady Crathorne
LADY CRATHORNE, who has died at the age of 67, was a quiet, unassuming yet inspirational leader with an immense amount of energy.
She had great drive with an ability to make things happen, and was never content to take on a purely titular role but would always immerse herself in the position.
She was a wonderful catalyst for getting those involved in any project, or organisation, to focus and work as a team.
It was her vision and leadership as chairman of the Georgian Theatre Royal Trust, in Richmond for 13 years which ensured the continued development and success of the United Kingdom's most complete Georgian playhouse.
One of her greatest achievements was leading the project to restore and develop the theatre which was reopened in 2003. In this she followed in the footsteps of her mother-in-law, Nancy, Lady Crathorne, who had led the team in the previous restoration project. The latest restoration received numerous awards from national and local organisations and in 2007 Lady Crathorne was made an Honorary Freeman of Richmond.
Another big part of her life was as North Yorkshire County Patron of Marie Curie Cancer Care for whom she raised a lot of money. She particularly carried on working for them after being diagnosed with cancer four years ago and which she fought with her usual spirit and determination, despite six major operations and two bouts of chemotherapy.
She was born in Cheltenham in 1942 but lived her family in Wimbledon, London, and her love of the theatre was inherited from her mother, the actress Jane Baxter, whose stage and screen career spanned half a century.
The Georgian Theatre project was her great love but she also took a keen interest in its flourishing youth theatre and education programme.
Theatre manager and chief executive Vaughn Curtis said: "The Theatre's success today is a testament to Sylvia's hard work and commitment and I personally owe her a debt of gratitude for her support and professionalism during my time here."
Malcolm Bryant, who succeeded her in June as chairman of the Theatre, added: "Although Sylvia's death produces a real sense of sadness it is a great tribute to her that very many people will remember her vitality, drive, energy and achievements."
In 1970 she married James Dugdale who in 1977 succeeded to the title of second Baron Crathorne and is one of 90 elected hereditary peers remaining in the House of Lords following the passing of the House of Lords Act 1999.
They met when she worked in the Old Masters' department at Sotheby's in Bond Street and he was in the Impressionist and Modern Department.
Lord Crathorne has been Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire for 10 years, and for five of them she has also been a Deputy Lieutenant in her own right in honour of all her work.
From 1989 to 1999 she was a magistrate sitting on the Middlesbrough bench and she was also a governor of three schools, including being the first woman governor of Bramcote School, in Scarborough.
For 20 years she was also chairman of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution Ladies' Guild for Yarm and Eaglescliffe.
Lady Crathorne, who died in the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton on Wednesday, is survived by her husband, Lord Crathorne, their children Charlotte, Thomas and Katharine, and two grandchildren.
A family funeral will be held and there will be a memorial service at York Minster on Thursday, October 15, at 2pm.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Leeds lose Ward to Palace: Is there anyone they can afford now?
- Sheffield Wednesday leaving it late to hijack Leeds United over Ward
- As Snodgrass dithers over Leeds, Warnock throws a lifeline
- Ball is in Leeds United’s court over contract - Snodgrass
- Police turning blind eye to Asian voter fraud, says MP
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
