Dr Betty Crawfurd-Porter

She and her late husband, “Tec” Crawfurd-Porter, were both well respected GPs in Killinghall, near Harrogate. She was a quiet, kind and gentle person, the perfect foil for her husband who was a flamboyant character but they were also well matched being once described as “like bread and butter”.

When her husband died more than 10 years ago, Betty Crawfurd-Porter felt that she had lost half her life.

They had met, married and had their first child while still at Leeds University where they were both studying medicine. In those days it was still a male dominated profession and she was one of only two women in her year among about 100 men.

She was born in Cleckheaton, the only child of George Halstead, an electrician, and his wife Grace, and was educated at Cleckheaton Grammar School before going to Leeds University to study medicine in 1947. She was academically gifted and a classic beneficiary of the grammar school system.

After graduating in 1954, they settled in Killinghall where they spent the rest of their lives.

She assisted her husband in the practice, Dr Moss & Partners, for 35 years, but her main vocation was as medical officer for Marks & Spencer in Harrogate, Wakefield, Leeds and Bradford, a much respected service that is no longer offered to the staff. She worked three days a week in school hours so was able to combine her professional duties with bringing up the family.

She was also a regular casualty doctor at Harrogate and District Hospital for over 30 years and in the early 1980s was president of Harrogate Medical Society. Away from their professional lives they were both heavily involved in Harrogate’s social, civic and sporting life. Betty had spells as secretary and president of Killinghall Cricket Club of which she was a life member, was president of Killinghall Nomads Football Club, and also a life member of Harrogate Hockey Club, formerly Harrogate Hockey and Squash Club.

For many years she was the duty doctor at Harrogate Cricket Festival, one year famously treating Courtney Walsh the West Indian fast bowler for a muscle strain.

After retiring in 1989, she continued assisting her husband in the practice and retained some private work, but she also enjoyed more time with the family and indulged her love of local sport, spending many afternoons as a spectator at Killinghall Cricket Club.

She was a keen supporter of Bradford City but in later years would go with her son, James, to Elland Road to watch Leeds United. In their last European campaign she enjoyed a memorable trip to see them play Real Madrid at the Bernabau Stadium.

In her latter years, she succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease which she fought with great dignity and courage.

Dr Crawfurd-Porter is survived by her children Helen, Diane, James and Louise, 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.