DR Ruth Dovey (nee Lunt), who during an accomplished medical career helped to pioneer Birth Control Clinics in Birkenhead and Liverpool, has died at her home in South Wirral.

Born in 1900, Dr Dovey qualified in 1923. After four years working in Liverpool hospitals and one year in California - where she married Reginald Dovey, embarking on 27 years of happily married life - she started a single handed practice in West Derby, Liverpool.

Ruth was also a skilled anaesthetist, on the Consultant Staff of the Royal Infirmary, The Northern and Alder Hey hospitals, though her happiest times were spent at the Hahnemann working with Hugh Reid and Clifford Brewer.

In 1970, she retired to Willaston, where she continued gardening and bee-keeping - her honey won many prizes - and developed her fascination with Shakespeare, from whose works she had a quotation for every occasion.

Ruth Dovey is survived by a son and daughter.

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