Pauline O'Neill (née Ripley)
BMJ 2006; 332 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.332.7546.918-a (Published 13 April 2006) Cite this as: BMJ 2006;332:918Data supplement
Pauline O’Neill (née Ripley)
Former consultant microbiologist Lewisham Hospital (b 9 May 1926; q Oxford/St Thomas’s Hospital Medical School, London, 1952; DM 1977), died from primary peritoneal carcinoma on 6 March 2006.A graduate of St Hugh’s College, Oxford, and St Thomas’s Hospital Medical School, London, Pauline (née Ripley) married Breffni O’Neill soon after they both qualified, and moved with him to Bermuda. There she set up a clinical laboratory service for Bermuda Medical Associates, of whom her husband was one. She returned to England in 1962, with her four young boys, and completed her training in medical microbiology in the St Thomas’ Hospital laboratories. She had a particular interest in the serology of syphilis, especially in relation to early infection and reinfection, and her thesis on the subject gained her her doctorate. In 1974 she was appointed to the post of consultant microbiologist at Joyce Green Hospital, Dartford, and then she moved to Lewisham Hospital, where she spent the rest of her medical career. For a period of about five years she was director of pathology there. She retired in 1989, not entirely pleased by the direction being taken by the National Health Service.
Pauline’s first interest was always her children, with each of whom she had a close relationship, sharing, in particular, her love of the countryside with them. I suspect that they were less keen on her gardening interests, which she practised with great success, and there was a clear divergence of opinion in relation to her taste in music and literature. She enjoyed good health until her final illness, and even then she remained active in her home in Winchester until the last few weeks. She leaves a partner, her four sons, and eight grandchildren. [Ian Phillips]
See more
- Introductory AddressProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 1-4; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.1
- Report of the Meeting of the Eastern Branch of the Provincial Association at Bury St. Edmond'sProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 10-13; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.10
- Mr. Warburton's Bill for the Regulation of the Medical ProfessionProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 13-15; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.13
- An Atlas of Plates, illustrative of the Principles and Practice of Obstetric Medicine and Surgery, with descriptive LetterpressProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 4; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.4
- A Practical Treatise on the Diseases peculiar to Women, illustrated by Cases, &cProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 4-5; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.4-a