JOYCE Wainwright was a well-known figure in Huddersfield for many years, as the wife of Colne Valley MP Richard Wainwright.
She chaired the constituency’s Women’s Liberal Council during her husband’s time as MP for the area from 1966 to 1970 and 1974 to 1987.
Joyce Hollis was born in Leeds on February 17, 1922, and worked as a nurse at Guy’s Hospital in London during the Second World War.
She married Richard Wainwright in 1948 and the couple settled in Adel in Leeds, from where he launched his political career.
Mr Wainwright won the tight three-way marginal of Colne Valley in 1966 – at the fourth attempt.
Mrs Wainwright was well-known in the constituency as a vigorous canvasser. Her husband lost his seat to Labour in 1970, only to win it back four years later. Mr Wainwright served as MP until his retirement in 1987.
In 1973 Mrs Wainwright accompanied her husband on a fact-finding mission to Guinea Bassau to meet guerrillas fighting Portuguese colonial rule. A python skin presented to her by the liberation army was often displayed during Liberal fetes and fundraisers in the Wainwrights’ home.
But three milking goats, also given to the couple by the guerrillas, had to be left in Africa.
Mrs Wainwright also served on the Yorkshire Women’s Liberal Federation.
She passed away aged 88 last month, eight years after her husband’s death.
Mrs Wainwright is survived by daughters Hilary and Tessa, son Martin and five grandchildren.
Her younger son Andrew died in 1974.
Mrs Wainwright’s family will hold a celebration of her life at her home in Adel on Saturday, July 23.
