Martha Dorothy Faulkner
Former medical missionary Manchuria (b Co Tyrone 1902; q Belfast 1926), d 21 September 2000. In 1926 she went to Manchuria as a missionary with the Irish Presbyterian Church, where she ran the mission hospital at Kirin. Her patients ranged from peasants to the family of the last emperor. In 1941 Dorothy was detained by the occupying Japanese forces and was interned, firstly in Manchuria and later in Japan, before being sent home in an exchange of civilian prisoners. In Britain she had hospital posts and then worked in singlehanded general practice in Marple, Cheshire, for 20 years. In 1965 she returned to Ulster and worked part time in general practice. When she retired she continued to be active in church life, ethical matters, charities, gardening, and environmental issues. Dorothy travelled extensively, but eschewed anything which smacked of ostentation, sometimes comparing the ways of western society unfavourably with those of her former patients in China. After a stroke in 1995 she lived in a nursing home, but returned home for three days a week to enjoy her garden and her fireside. She never married.
Geoffrey John Myers
Former general practitioner Cobham, Surrey, 1950-82 (b Cambridge 1917; q Cambridge/Westminster 1942), d 17 August 2000. During the second world war he served as medical officer to 168 Squadron of the Royal Air Force and was involved in the D Day landings in Normandy. At Cobham he was a dedicated and enthusiastic family doctor for 32 years and worked for the local cottage hospitals. He was a council member of the Medical Protection Society, latterly treasurer, a member of the Apothecaries Society, and a lecturer for St John Ambulance. He was always a keen golfer and bridge player and joined Probus during his retirement. He leaves a wife, Margaret; a son (a general practitioner); a daughter; and three grandchildren.
by A V Dunlop and G R Winter
Margaret Ormiston
Specialist in community medicine (child health) Leeds (b Melrose 1921; q Aberdeen 1944; DPH, FFCM), d 11 October 2000. After several hospital posts in and around London she decided that her future lay in furthering the development of services for women and children and she joined the public health service in 1948. Margaret was a founder member of the Faculty of Community Medicine, a member of the BMA's public health committee for eight years, and chairman of the Leeds division of the BMA in 1974-5. For six years she was on the national council of the Family Planning Association, and was active with several voluntary groups, such as Leeds Diocesan Rescue, Protection, and Child Welfare Society and the local adoption practice committee. In 1981 a myocardial infarction brought this busy career to a close, and Margaret took early retirement and returned to Edinburgh. Although increasingly troubled by arthritis, she continued to lead an active life. She never married.
by D M Parkin
Nicholas David Thomas Pimm
General practitioner Plymouth (b Oxford 1955; q Bristol 1980; MRCGP (distinction)), died from cancer on 28 May 2000. After qualifying he worked in Bristol and Nottingham before becoming a GP in Plympton, where he worked for 15 years. His enthusiasm, dedication, and diagnostic skills were much appreciated, and he took a special interest in his elderly patients and in drug misusers. He was a trainer and pioneered computing and fundholding in his practice. He was a founder of Devon Doctors on Call and embraced primary care groups. He leaves a wife and two children from his first marriage.
by Mike Pimm
John Sholem Portnoy
Consultant radiologist Whipps Cross Hospital, 1969-82 (b 1919; q Manchester 1943; DMRD), died from a dissecting aortic aneurysm on 8 May 2000. During the second world war he financed his medical training by tending and repairing teleprinter machines overnight. After qualification he was posted to France and injured by an explosion which threatened his sight. He entered singlehanded general practice in Rochdale, but after 20 years of gruelling but satisfying work he became disillusioned. Obstetrics and minor surgery were being passed to hospitals. So he returned to an original desire to do radiology. At Whipps Cross he started ultrasound and extended the provision of practical procedures with characteristic energy. He gave lively early morning lectures sometimes punctuated by the use of a starting pistol. The winner of his x ray quiz was awarded with an engraved bottle. He was always resourceful. During one power strike he borrowed army generators to power portable x ray machines. Retirement reawakened enthusiasm for amateur radio, and he was president of the Institution of Electronics for many years. He leaves a wife; a son and daughter in law (both doctors); and three grandsons.
by David Portnoy and Brigid Keane