HUDDERSFIELD Philharmonic Orchestra has lost a professional and passionate musician who led them for 20 years.

Mary Frances Rafferty, of Salendine Nook, has died aged 64 at Kirkwood Hospice.

Mother-of-two Mrs Rafferty played violin for the Philharmonic Orchestra for 30 years and was a leader for two decades.

Mary Barber, who now leads the orchestra, said: “Mary Rafferty was a brilliant person to have as leader – encouraging, supportive, positive and smiling, and she never appeared to get stressed on the big occasions.

“Her solos were always played to perfection – never a wobble or an out-of-tune note.

“She had a really good relationship with all the players in the orchestra and worked hard to encourage new players and support the established players.

“She also taught piano to our daughter Sarah and violin to my husband Nick.

“The lessons always involving focused tuition, interspersed with fun and laughter – not to mention the coffee and chat afterwards.

“We will miss her greatly both as a musician and as a friend.”

Mrs Rafferty will be missed by hundreds of people across Huddersfield who she touched with her music.

She taught pupils privately and made many friends through her music.

The grandmother-of-three also led the Valley Sinfonia, which accompanied the Holmfirth Choral Society, and the Huddersfield and Honley Gilbert and Sullivan Society orchestras.

And she had played with the Halifax Symphony Orchestra, Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra and Todmorden Orchestra.

Her funeral, at Elland Crematorium, was very well attended.

Mrs Rafferty was an accomplished musician from a young age.

Aged 12, she became a Junior Exhibitioner at the Royal Academy of Music in London before becoming a full time student at the Royal College of Music.

In 1967 she went to Bretton Hall to study to become a peripatetic music teacher.

She worked for Huddersfield Music Service before going on to teach violin and keyboard for Barnsley Music Service.

During her career she studied for further qualifications including a ARCM, B.ed (Hons) in Music and CT ABRSM.

Mrs Rafferty continued to tutor students right up until she was admitted to Kirkwood Hospice.

She was first diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 52 and was more recently diagnosed a second time.

Mrs Rafferty passed away at Kirkwood Hospice on July 16.

She leaves her husband Ken Rafferty, son Ian Rafferty, daughter Katrina Rafferty and grandchildren MJ Ma, Anna Rafferty and James Rafferty.