Born: 
22/05/1933
Died: 
06/04/2011
Specialty: 
Paediatrics/Community Child Health
Designatory Letters: 
MB Bristol 1957, DCH Eng 1960, D Obstet RCPG 1961, MRCP Edin 1965, FRCP Edin 1980, FRCPCH 1997

[Based on an obituary in The Shields Gazette of 13th April 2011]

Margaret Taylor has often been called "a legend" in South Tyneside where she devoted her life to caring for children, working there for more than 30 years.

She was born in Lindley, Huddersfield in 1933, the only child of Fred and Olive Taylor. After leaving Greenhead High School she and a friend cycled all over Europe before returning to study Medicine at Bristol University. After qualifying she worked at the Royal Free and Great Ormond Street Hospitals in London and within three years had obtained her DCH, DRCOG and MRCP.

In her early 30s she moved North where she became one of England's youngest - ever appointed consultants and made South Shields her home. In 1944 she was elected an FRCP. One of only two paediatricians in the town she was constantly on call, both for her hospital patients and also to assist the police in cases of child abuse. Her son recalls how, when she was called into the hospital at night, he was wrapped in a blanket and looked after in the Children's Ward until Mother was able to take him home.

Her retirement enabled her to follow her passion for travelling and she enjoyed a world trip. Deeply loved by medical and nursing colleagues, she is remembered for the quality of her care and her passion for children.