AN ACCLAIMED consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at St Mary’s Hospital died on October 12, shortly after celebrating her 96th birthday.

Born in 1924 at Brockley in south London, Brenda Taylor's childhood was spent in Penmaenmawr in Wales and Broadsands in Devon, where her father had worked as a civil engineer.

After attending Crediton High School she secured a place to study medicine at the Royal Free Hospital in London, qualifying in March, 1949.

Early in her training during the Second World War, she was lucky to survive when a flying bomb hit a building as she was halfway up the staircase.

With characteristic fortitude she resumed work after a brief visit home to Devon to assure her mother she was safe.

Having opted to work in obstetrics and gynaecology, Miss Taylor received a number of hospital placements before working in Boston, USA, for a year.

In the 1960s she was appointed consultant at St Mary’s where she played a pivotal role in the development of maternity services on the Island.

In June, 1976, Miss Taylor was elected a fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

In retirement she worked tirelessly to assist in fundraising for Marie Curie.

She was for many years a committed member of the Soroptimists worldwide volunteer service and valued the intellectual stimulation and fellowship she shared in the company of her fellow members.

Miss Taylor shared a love of gardening and cats with her mother who lived with her for many years, and who she cared for before her admission to nursing care.

A longstanding resident of Wootton Bridge, Miss Taylor moved from the Isle of Wight to Sibbertoft Nursing Home in Leicestershire in 2019 when she needed nursing care.

Throughout her life she took a huge interest in the lives of her nephews and nieces, and more recently great nephews and nieces and great, great nephews and nieces.