Claire Rayner vowed to defend 'my beloved NHS' beyond grave

The writer and broadcaster – who died on Monday aged 79 – devoted her life to caring for others through her work as a nurse, an advice columnist and later as a campaigner for patients'

rights.

She had not recovered from emergency intestinal surgery in May and knew her death was imminent over the weekend. She died in hospital near her home in Harrow, north-west London.

Her husband Des, to whom she was married for 53 years, said: "I have lost my best friend and my soulmate. I am immensely proud of her."

Her death touched many with whom she had either worked or inspired. Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients' Association – of which Rayner was president – said: "She was a figurehead and inspiration to us all.

"She cared so deeply that the voice of the patient should be heard and worked tirelessly to ensure that care issues were given prominence in all health matters. She was a wonderful person, an inspiration to us all and she will be missed so much by everyone."

Baroness Helena Kennedy said: "She was the best of company and could always be found in the middle of a laughing, adoring crowd. The key thing about Claire was that she was a campaigner to her toes – her mission was to improve the lot of others and she did it with great humility and common sense.

"Claire Rayner was a great force for good in British society. I feel bereft."

Fellow advice columnist Deidre Sanders, of the Sun, said Rayner would always stand by what she thought was right.

She told ITV1's Daybreak: "She was very prepared to state her mind. She was such an amazing character; she was really larger than life."

Rayner, who wrote for the Sun, Sunday Mirror and Woman's Own, will be given a humanist funeral service for family and close friends only.

Rayner, also survived by children Amanda, Adam and Jay, and her four grandchildren, started her career in the National Health Service, working as a nurse.

A fighter to the end: Page 11.