Former Bournemouth GP and Parkstone community paediatrician Dr Angela Eileen Morris has died at home at the age of 69.

Born in the district of Llandelli in the county of Carmarthenshire, Wales, in 1947, Angela was the daughter of David John Clements and Phyllis Eileen Morris, and the younger sister of Alan Morris.

Educated at Llandelli Girls Grammar School, Angela was head girl, and went on to study sciences and Latin A levels. On graduating from Westminster Hospital Medical School she won the surgery prize and the gynaecology prize.

Upon moving down to Bournemouth, she became a junior doctor at Boscombe Hospital on Shelley Road, working first in accident and emergency and then the gynaecology department.

She met her husband Robert Crothall, then assistant manager at the Linden Sports Club, Bournemouth, at a party. They married two months later at Bournemouth Register Office in December 1971, although she still kept her maiden name throughout her medical career.

Angela then trained to be a GP and spent a few years being a locum GP in the Bournemouth area before transferring into community health as a paediatrician at Parkstone Health Centre on Mansfield Road. One aspect of the job was being part of a team going into schools to vaccinate children against diseases such as tetanus, polio and tuberculosis.

In 1978 Angela and Robert's only child, Becky, was born at Boscombe Hospital. She was delivered by one of Angela's colleagues, Sid Lubert.

Angela and Robert moved on to the relatively new estate on Canford Heath in 1986, and stayed on the heath even after their divorce 20 years later.

"Mum and dad remained good friends. They were always on the phone to each other every day. They were soul mates", said Becky, who also lives on the heath with her young family.

In 2002 after Angela fell ill she decided to take early retirement at the age of 55, on health grounds. She still kept her mind active doing That's Life magazine competitions.

"She was fantastic at magazine competitions and won lots of prizes, including a couple of cars, a holiday and a microwave", said Becky.

The family will be celebrating Angela's life at a memorial service at Poole Crematorium on December 9 at 12.30pm and afterwards at the Pilot on Canford Heath. Wearing bright colours is encouraged and donations to Julia's House are welcome c/o Ives and Shand Funeral Directors, Ashley Road, Parkstone, Poole.