A doctor, mayor, councillor and magistrate in Abingdon for more than 50 years, Dr Joan Harcourt Norris, has died.

She was 95. Last year Dr Harcourt Norris received the Freedom of Abingdon badge and ribbon in recognition of her work and commitment to the town and people of Abingdon and district.

Dr Harcourt Norris lived in Norman Avenue for many years with her late husband James, before moving last year to the Rush Court nursing and residential home in Shillingford, where she died on November 19.

She was born in Essex and followed her father into the medical profession.

She trained at the Royal Free Hospital in London and after qualifying worked in hospitals in and around London.

She married in 1934 and then came face to face with old fashioned prejudice -- the medical profession frowned on married women practising in hospitals, so she left and became a GP.

She retained her maiden name Harcourt after her marriage.

Later she moved to Oxford and then Abingon. Her husband was a solicitor in Oxford.

Dr Harcourt Norris was appointed medical officer of health for schools in the old north Berkshire area. A life-long Conservative, Dr Harcourt Norris was elected to Abingdon Borough Council in 1964 and was Mayor in 1971-2 before being voted on to the newly-formed Vale of White Horse District Council.

She was appointed a magistrate in 1952 and sat on the Abingdon bench for 25 years.

Dr Harcourt Norris was also deeply involved in town organisations, in particular Age Concern and the Friends of Abingdon.

In 1983 she was appointed to represent the district council on the Oxfordshire Area Health Authority.

After receiving her Freedom of Abingdon badge and ribbon in March last year Dr Harcourt Norris said: "I have enjoyed my life and work in Oxfordshire. The Freedom of Abingdon badge is a great honour for me and I am pleased that the town has recognised my work over the years."

Dr Harcourt Norris is survived by her adopted son Christopher who lives in New Zealand.

Her other adopted son Michael died six years ago.

The funeral service for family and close friends will take place on December 4 at St Michael's and All Angels church in Park Road Abingdon, at 11.30am, followed by a private cremation.

A civic service will be held early in the new year.