My mother, Beryl Markus, who has died aged 82, was called to the bar in 1954 – one of the few women barristers at that time. She was born in Manchester into a large Catholic family, and read law at Manchester University, where she met her future husband, Tom. She never practised as a barrister, choosing instead to raise a large brood of children. By the time she was ready to return to work the family was living in Scotland, where she was unable to practise English law.
She never regretted this choice, but kept a strong interest in questions of law, justice and society. In due course she became a teacher, and then headteacher, at St Charles primary school, Maryhill, Glasgow. In addition to the usual duties, Beryl coached the football team, directed and played the piano for school plays, and filled the school with art. She loved and respected her pupils. Rather than punish naughty children, she would read stories to them after school.
She was open-minded and rational. While visiting me and my brother Daniel in London in 1986, she was injured on the picket line at Wapping during the printers' dispute. She found herself in an ambulance with a BBC cameraman who had been hit by mounted police, while police beat on the windows with their truncheons. The experience caused her to revise her trust in the Murdoch press, whose report of events differed so greatly from what she had observed.
In later years she was horrified by the increasing social injustice caused by the rise of global capitalism, particularly the coalition's health and welfare reforms, attack on legal aid, and demonisation of the poor. Her intellectual life, belief in social justice and strong faith came together in a community of lay Dominicans, where prayer and critical thought went hand in hand.
Beryl had an endless reserve of love, kindness and wisdom to offer to all who met her. She was a wonderful cook and, through food, drink and conversation, brought people together, mended broken lives, and gave people hope and happiness.
Tom and Beryl would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in August. Their life together was the core of an expansive love that touched everyone who knew her.
Beryl was predeceased by a daughter, Ruth, who died as a baby. She is survived by Tom, their six children, Mary, Gilbert, Daniel, Peter, Allan and me, seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild, all of whom brought her great joy.