Born 10 May 1937; died 26 September 2020
Lady Jill Pereira Gray, the wife of former Chairman of Council and President of the College Sir Denis Pereira Gray for 58 years, died in September 2020 aged 83 after a long battle with cancer.
Jill used her English degree from the University of London and her academic publishing skills, working alongside Denis as an Assistant Editor in the editorial office of the College, based in their home in Exeter. Jill started working for the RCGP in 1976 and continued for the next 21 years as an Assistant Editor.
Between them they produced the Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners and Journal supplements, over 70 Occasional Papers, Reports from General Practice 18–25, the ‘white cover’ reprinted classic general practice books, and several other books and booklets, including the annual RCGP Members’ Reference Book from 1982–1996. Another joint venture was The Medical Annual from 1983–1987. As general practice developed rapidly as a discipline, a number of these Occasional Papers and reports were fundamental to the development of our discipline and the development of vocational training for general practice.
Jill wrote an article in the Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 1982 about the role of the doctor’s family1 and a chapter in The Medical Annual 1984 about the medical care of doctors’ families.2
These were key publications, leading to her giving lectures on the subject. Subsequently, policy and practice changed dramatically, for the better.
Jill supported Denis in his work from starting as a GP through to him being Chair (1987–1990), and then President of the RCGP (1997–2000), and beyond.
The Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Vol. 32, Issue 235, February 1982 (where Jill’s article appeared).
The Revd Canon Dr John Searle, a lifetime friend and colleague, in his fitting eulogy identified Jill’s overriding passions as being her friends, her family, and her faith.
Jill leaves her husband Denis, their four children Peter, Penny, Liz, and Jen, as well as 14 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
