Obituary - Dr Emma Maloney

Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. (b 1968; q Oxford 1993; FRCA), died from colorectal carcinoma 5th July 2010.

Emma Maloney went up to Oriel College, Oxford in 1987, where she threw herself with her trademark exuberance into student life. Rowing was a particular passion, and she was a regular member of the 1st Women’s VIII. After training in Anaesthesia in London, Edinburgh and Sheffield, she became interested in Paediatrics and did further subspecialty work at the Childrens’ Hospitals in Manchester and Auckland. A long-time lover of Devon, she was appointed to her 'dream job' in 2008 but was almost immediately diagnosed with cancer. Despite gruelling treatment, borne as always with good humour and an instinct for living life to the full, she never did return to the job she enjoyed so much and was so good at.

Family and friends were by far the most important parts of Emma’s life, and she was fiercely loyal to both. By her own admission she had little interest in academia, but this self-deprecation hid a quick-witted intelligence and a breathtakingly broad general knowledge, not to mention a glorious soprano voice. Ever the gracious hostess, she welcomed a constant stream of visitors to her converted mill deep in the Devonshire countryside until late into her illness. She leaves a husband, Robin, and two sons.

Dr Simon Yarrow