Excellent clinician and compassionate. caring doctor

Dr Frances Mary (Mary) Lehane, who has died aged 69, was formerly consultant anaesthetist at Cork University Hospital.

Born and reared in England, a daughter of the late Dermot and Joan Lehane, Mary followed in her father's footsteps, graduating in medicine from University College Cork (UCC) in 1970.

On completion of her intern year she joined the anaesthetic department at St Finbarr’s Hospital as a trainee, beginning a distinguished career in anaesthesia.

Having being conferred with the Fellowship of the Faculty of Anaesthesia RCSI (now the College of Anaesthetists Ireland) Mary was appointed as senior registrar to the Birmingham group of hospitals in 1975.

In 1978 she successfully completed her senior registrar training and returned to Cork as consultant anaesthetist to St Finbarr's and associated hospitals, later transferring to Cork University Hospital (CUH), where she played a pivotal role in the establishment of the new intensive care unit.

Distinguished researcher

In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Mary distinguished herself as a researcher, focusing her interest on malignant hyperthermia, a rare but serious complication following anaesthesia in vulnerable patients.

This research, carried out in conjunction with her UCC colleagues Professors James Heffron and Thomas McCarthy, led to their important discovery that chromosome 19 was involved in the transmission of malignant hyperthermia. The resulting publication in the prestigious journal Nature in 1990 was a first for anaesthesia in Ireland.

In response to clinical need and demand, Mary was prevailed upon to set up and lead the National Centre for Malignant Hyperthermia in Ireland. In addition to this role, her clinical duties and her research commitments, she acted as examiner in the primary examination for the College of Anaesthetists, as lecturer in the department of pharmacology in UCC and as a link person for the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland.

Munster rugby supporter

Mary’s father, Dermot, received the annual award of the Oliver Memorial Fund in 1975 and was appointed CBE in 1977 for his services to medicine. Mary was also honoured, receiving the College of Anaesthetists’ President’s Award in 2007 for her national and international contribution to anaesthesia and patient safety and for her role in anaesthetic research and education.

Outside medicine, she had a passion for gardening and was instrumental in the establishment of a number of gardens in CUH. She also enjoyed rugby union and loved to go to Thomond Park to watch her beloved Munster.

An excellent clinician and teacher, she was also a loyal colleague, a caring and compassionate doctor, a focused researcher and a devoted and loving daughter and sister.

She fought her final illness with typical bravery, determination and optimism. In his eulogy, her brother John said: “Mary was a beacon for us to follow. We may never have quite matched her standard but her example has helped all towards her standard”. She is survived by her sister, Nora, and her brothers, John, Barry, Tim, Michael and Bill.