KEIGHLEY’s tireless campaigner for health reform Molly Jones has died at the age of 98.

Molly spent many decades of her life campaigning on a wide range of issues, particularly in the field of women’s health.

She highlighted issues such as over-prescribing of tranquilizers, set up several support groups, spearheaded relaxation classes for pregnant women and started one of the first family planning clinics in Yorkshire.

Molly was a staunch supporter of Keighley’s voluntary sector through membership of several management and working groups, including Keighley Council for Voluntary Services (KCVS).

She was heavily involved in many other groups, such as Airedale Community Health Council, the Senior Health Awareness Project, the Women’s Health Group and Parkinson’s Group.

Molly, who lived in Utley, received several awards for her voluntary work, including a Yorkshire Women Of Achievement award and Keighley Community Personality of the Year in 1989.

Val Mills, the long-time leader of KCVS, this week paid tribute to Molly’s long and active time as a “dynamic and determined” community health campaigner and volunteer.

She said: “Molly was an ardent and very vocal campaigner on public health issues, particularly for woman.

“She was often well ahead of the game in new public health issues and growing concerns. She gave many hundreds of hours of volunteer time during 40-plus years.”

Molly, christened Mary, was born on a farm in Cocherham, Lancashire, and attended Lancaster Girls Grammar School.

Her father objected to her desire to become a nurse so she took a clerical job with the school health service, enrolling to train as a state registered nurse and midwife on her 21st birthday.

She became a health visitor in Keighley in the 1940s, marrying Reg Jones in 1948, and although she retired from paid work soon afterwards, she continued her involvement in health matters.

Molly’s daughter, Chris Baillie, said: “Some of my earliest memories are connected with mum’s tireless work for the health of the people of Keighley.

“She was a campaigner who always fought to write any injustices she saw.”

Molly eventually benefited from some of the services she had previously supported, such as the Parkinson’s Group. But she was still attending a keep fit class at the Salvation Army into her 80s.

Chris added: “My mother’s memory let her down in the last few years, but the spirit carried on.”

Molly’s grandson, Tim Baillie, won a gold medal for pairs canoe slalom during the 2012 Olympic Games.