PIONEERING midwife, Mary Cronk, has died aged 86 at her Chichester home.

Born in Glasgow, Mary was educated at Gourock High School before training as a nurse at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. She then moved to undertake midwifery training at Queen Charlotte’s in London.

In 1969, she moved to Gurnard and worked as a community nurse. After three years, she became a midwife with the NHS.

Mary has been described as radical in her approach and compassionate in her practice, and is said to have inspired two generations of midwives.

In a time when unnecessary episiotomies were regularly performed, Mary stood up for women in her care, challenged consultants and supported colleagues to move midwifery forward.

Two decades later, Mary became an independent midwife and moved to Earnley, Chichester. In 1998, she was appointed MBE.

Mary continued teaching and encouraging young midwives, and last taught at an international conference in 2016.

In later life, she enjoyed sailing with her husband, Joe Cronk.

Mary leaves behind Joe, her son Peter, her daughter Maggie, four children and two great-grandchildren.