Devoted Dagenham doctor dies after 30 years of service

Winifred Heller photographed after her graduation from Glasgow University (Image: Archant)

Dr Winifred Heller – who was known professionally as Dr Hunter – died on Saturday at the age of 92.

Winifred Elizabeth Cameron was born in 1923 in Rothesay, on the west coast of Scotland, and began practising when she moved to Dagenham in 1951 following her marriage to Archie Hunter, a freelance journalist.

She then spent more than three decades working in the area, including at surgeries in Stone Close, Dagenham, and Strood Avenue, Rush Green, before retiring in 1986.

Her husband Archie died in 1961 and, 10 years later, Winifred married Czech-born psychiatrist Charles Heller – at which point she became step-mum to Charles’s daughter, Claire Bright.

Winifred Heller later in life (Image: Archant)

“She inherited me when I was 19,” Claire, 65, said. “She spent her life caring for others – she was absolutely tremendous.

“It was lovely to have her in my life – and good to have someone with my father. They were soulmates.”

Winifred was a keen St John Ambulance volunteer and police surgeon – and was the only female in the role at the time, meaning she was in constant demand.

Claire paid tribute to the “strong, independent nature” that took her step-mother to Glasgow University to study medicine – unusual for a woman at the time – and also transferred to her hobbies.

“She loved cooking,” Claire said of Winifred, who also spoke four languages and was passionate about gardening. “But she preferred to make her own recipes rather than copy.”

She leaves behind two grandsons and two great-grandsons.

Winifred’s funeral will take place at South Essex Crematorium, Corbets Tey Road, Upminster at 12.40pm on Thursday next week.

Flowers will only be accepted from members of the family but if anyone would like to make a donation it should be for the NSPCC via cheque to West & Coe Funeral Directors, 38 Lodge Lane, Grays, Essex, RM16 2YJ.