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Margaret Coles obituary Margaret Coles obituary
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Photographs from 1958 show my sister Margaret Coles as one of only seven women among more than 100 doctors graduating from Leeds medical school. Margaret, who has died of cancer aged 80, was an early pioneer in the democratisation of the medical profession.Photographs from 1958 show my sister Margaret Coles as one of only seven women among more than 100 doctors graduating from Leeds medical school. Margaret, who has died of cancer aged 80, was an early pioneer in the democratisation of the medical profession.
As a student, she also became involved in Christian social welfare at the Leeds homeless charity St George's Crypt, exploring her vocation beyond medicine. In 1962 she accepted a posting to a Church Missionary Society hospital in Omdurman in southern Sudan, where she learned to speak Arabic and worked mainly with leprosy sufferers in a culture which still regarded the disease as the result of personal sin.As a student, she also became involved in Christian social welfare at the Leeds homeless charity St George's Crypt, exploring her vocation beyond medicine. In 1962 she accepted a posting to a Church Missionary Society hospital in Omdurman in southern Sudan, where she learned to speak Arabic and worked mainly with leprosy sufferers in a culture which still regarded the disease as the result of personal sin.
She came home in 1970 to work in the NHS. Getting back into her medical career was not easy, as her experience in the Sudan was not recognised, and she started again as a junior hospital doctor in Whitehaven, Cumbria. She went on to practise paediatric medicine in north Lancashire and North Yorkshire between 1973 and 1996, when she retired from the NHS. She also undertook further theological training, becoming a reader of the Church of England.She came home in 1970 to work in the NHS. Getting back into her medical career was not easy, as her experience in the Sudan was not recognised, and she started again as a junior hospital doctor in Whitehaven, Cumbria. She went on to practise paediatric medicine in north Lancashire and North Yorkshire between 1973 and 1996, when she retired from the NHS. She also undertook further theological training, becoming a reader of the Church of England.
Margaret was the eldest of six children of Tom and Dorothy Coles. Our father was an Anglican minister serving working-class parishes. The family moved from Carlisle, where Margaret was born, to Moresby near Whitehaven, where, at the age of six, she was involved in a car accident which led to the eventual loss her right eye.Margaret was the eldest of six children of Tom and Dorothy Coles. Our father was an Anglican minister serving working-class parishes. The family moved from Carlisle, where Margaret was born, to Moresby near Whitehaven, where, at the age of six, she was involved in a car accident which led to the eventual loss her right eye.
Despite missing school, she was a talented scholar, entering Whitehaven grammar at the age of 10 and passing her school certificate at the age of 14. Her (unusually, female) science teachers, together with her father, encouraged her scientific ability. The family moved to Halifax in 1950 and Margaret obtained a scholarship to Leeds medical school.Despite missing school, she was a talented scholar, entering Whitehaven grammar at the age of 10 and passing her school certificate at the age of 14. Her (unusually, female) science teachers, together with her father, encouraged her scientific ability. The family moved to Halifax in 1950 and Margaret obtained a scholarship to Leeds medical school.
She was first diagnosed with cancer in 1990. As well as going through several operations and courses of chemotherapy, she also explored new and alternative treatments, true to her overall philosophy as a tenacious seeker after truth. This became a hallmark of both her religious commitment and of her medical professionalism.She was first diagnosed with cancer in 1990. As well as going through several operations and courses of chemotherapy, she also explored new and alternative treatments, true to her overall philosophy as a tenacious seeker after truth. This became a hallmark of both her religious commitment and of her medical professionalism.
In later years she was involved in work with the church, first in Burton-in-Kendal and later in Priest Hutton, giving medical and spiritual support to friends, relatives and parishioners.In later years she was involved in work with the church, first in Burton-in-Kendal and later in Priest Hutton, giving medical and spiritual support to friends, relatives and parishioners.
She is survived by two sisters, Dorothy and Joyce, and myself, and countless nephews and nieces inspired by her life of selfless dedication.She is survived by two sisters, Dorothy and Joyce, and myself, and countless nephews and nieces inspired by her life of selfless dedication.
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