FAMILY tributes have been paid to Jean Greenan, who died aged 90.

Jean was born in Tipton, Staffordshire, and spent her childhood in Nelson, in Lancashire, the daughter of John Smith, a civil engineer, and his wife Elsie, a teacher, and younger sister of John Gilchrist Smith.

She attended Nelson Grammar School, and went on to study medicine at Birmingham University, graduating in 1952.

It was whilst working at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham that she met her husband the late Dr Joe Greenan. Three years after their marriage in 1954, Jean contracted polio – whilst pregnant with her third child – and was paralysed from the chest downwards requiring extensive rehabilitation. In 1961, they moved to Scarborough, where they raised their five children and continued their medical careers, Joe being a consultant anaesthetist at the hospital.

Jean returned to work as a school medical officer and then became a clinical assistant in ophthalmology at Scarborough Hospital. Following retirement she served a term as a non-executive director to the Scarborough and NE Healthcare NHS Trust.

She had a strong commitment to supporting her local community and was appointed as a Justice of the Peace, serving 25 years as a magistrate.

As an Independent candidate representing the Scalby and Newby Ward she was elected for five consecutive terms as a Scarborough Borough Councillor, covering 18 years of service including a Mayoral year from 1982. In1996, she was awarded the title of Honorary Alderman of the Borough of Scarborough.

She had a particular interest in town planning and development along with rural conservation and was a founding member and recent president of the Scalby Village Trust.

Her belief in the importance of supporting young people and encouraging opportunities for them moved her to become a governor for Scarborough College, Raincliffe School, St Augustine’s School and St George’s School.

She had greatly enjoyed her time as a Girl Guide in her youth, valuing the friendship and life skills it offered, and maintained a keen interest in the Guide movement.

She became Division Commissioner of the Scarborough Girl Guide Association in 1976, and went on to be County Commissioner for North Yorkshire from 1982-7.

Her daughter, Sioban, said: “In carrying out all her medical and public service roles, she did so with enthusiasm commitment and dedication to a remarkable degree. Her Christian faith was an inspiration to her throughout her life in the decision making and roles she undertook.

“Above all she was a caring and supportive wife and mother; and an incredible role model for her family. Despite her significant physical disabilities and developing post-polio syndrome she continued to embrace life, refusing to allow her life to be defined by them. This determination shone through like a beacon, and is an inspiration to those of us fortunate to have known her.”

For the last two years of her life she lived at Nightingale Hall in Richmond, North Yorkshire. She died there, on March 12, 2020. She is survived by her brother John, and her five children Anne, Mary Jo, Sioban, Janet and John.