The founder of a Keighley nursing home has died aged 76.
Betty Kennedy established Herncliffe Nursing Home in Spring Gardens Lane.
She was diagnosed with terminal cancer in June this year and died at home, surrounded by her family, on Saturday.
She had been living in Broughton Road, Skipton, when she died, but had previously lived in Keighley for more than 20 years.
She was born in Burley-in-Wharfedale, and began training to be a nurse at Keighley Victoria Hospital when she was 17.
She married Paul Kennedy in June 1960, after which she was appointed sister in charge of the children’s ward at Keighley Victoria Hospital.
Her subsequent posts included a role as nursing officer, where she had the job of reorganising nursing in Keighley, Bingley, Skipton and Ilkley. She set up Herncliffe in 1980 and retired from the NHS in 1985. She and her husband had four children.
Mrs Kennedy’s son, John, is now Herncliffe’s manager. He said: “She was very caring and welcoming.
“She did a lot of work for vagrants in Keighley, and she also took in foster children.”
Mrs Kennedy’s funeral service took place at St Stephen’s Church in Skipton this morning (Friday, |November 30), followed by interment at Waltonwrays Cemetery.
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