By Dr Lynn Cuthbertson
Dr Maureen McPake passed away at home early afternoon on 12 July 2025. Beloved wife to Dave and much loved by brother Vin, sister-in-law Hazel, nephew Calum, nieces Kirsten and Lucy and extended family.
Although I am writing this with a heavy heart, I feel immensely privileged as Maureen was a very dear friend and colleague.
Maureen met Dave, described by her brother as the "love of her life," at an Open University summer school in York. Married in September 2005, they lived in Bathgate with their two adopted cats. She was a great family person, who in the words of Lucy, "brought laughter and light, [was] a true ray of sunshine, lighting up every room, [you were] always letting us know how proud you were of us…[always] supportive and inspirational… so full of life."
Maureen was a wonderful, fun, caring, supportive person who touched the hearts and minds of many. Her life was busy, diverse and exciting, living and working in various places.
Early days
Maureen, daughter of Scottish parents, was born in Doncaster on 23 October 1956. Her parents moved briefly to England where she commenced her schooling.
On their return, she continued her education, a keen lover of sport, science and Latin.
She left school unsure of what career direction to take, but a chance meeting with an old schoolfriend resulted in her applying to study radiotherapy in Edinburgh.
Here began her Therapeutic Radiographer journey.
The clinician and the academic
Maureen had a highly successful career in the NHS. Post qualification in 1979 she headed south to work at the Royal Marsden in London, subsequently securing a post as senior radiographer.
As well as working with patients, she had responsibility for educating students. Her passion for teaching led to her securing a senior radiographer/clinical instructor post in 1983 at Leicester Royal Infirmary and completion of the Clinical Instructors certificate.
Her career in academia commenced in 1984 when she became a radiotherapy teacher at the Edinburgh School of Radiotherapy, completing the Higher Diploma of the College of Radiographers in 1985, the Teachers Diploma of the College of Radiographers as well as the Teaching Qualification in Further Education in 1986.
Between 1993 and 1995, she held a part-time lecturer post at Queen Margaret University. In 1994, she completed her honours degree, and held a locum radiographer post at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.
In 1996, she combined locum posts as lecturer and radiographer at the University of Liverpool and Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology and in 1997, she returned to Scotland to take up a senior radiographer post at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
As a true academic, she continued her studies, Master of Medical Science (M Med Sci) in Clinical Oncology, University of Birmingham in 1998. In 1999, she joined Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) as a lecturer for radiotherapy and oncology. An inspirational teacher and motivator with extensive knowledge, resulting in appointment to programme lead for BSc (Hons) Radiotherapy and Oncology (2004) and subsequently professional lead.
Instrumental in programme development, design and execution, she achieved senior lecturer status in 2007 and by 2011 shared this role as Director of the School of Health and Life Sciences Learning and Development Centre.
Work and study continued, and in 2014 she presented her preliminary research finding,s ‘An exploration of practice placement models used in UK radiotherapy departments’ at the Annual Radiotherapy Conference in Bristol.
Maureen was highly regarded by fellow professionals but also her students. Her passion for influencing and furthering the profession of radiotherapy inspired the future generation of practitioners and shone throughout her career in her innovative and engaging teaching and mentorship.
The following tribute from Ross McGhee, president of the Society of Radiographers (SoR) 2002/2023, sums up beautifully the person she was and the impact she had on student education, their lives and careers: “It is with deep gratitude that I remember Maureen, a remarkable educator, mentor and human being who played an unforgettable role in my academic journey and beyond.
“During some of the most challenging moments in my studies, when the weight of uncertainty and self-doubt felt overwhelming, Maureen was a steady and compassionate presence. With a calm demeanour and a kind, thoughtful voice, she offered not only academic guidance but emotional reassurance. She had a quiet strength - never loud, never forceful – but always clear, patient and encouraging. Her words had a way of making complicated things seem manageable and difficult times seem less lonely.
“What made Maureen truly special was not only her excellence in teaching but the care she extended beyond the classroom. Even after I completed my studies, she continued to take a genuine interest in my journey.
“Her legacy is not just in the knowledge she shared but in the lives she touched, the confidence she nurtured and the compassion she quietly lived by every day. I am a better student, a better professional and most importantly, a better person for having known her … [I thank her] for believing in me when I needed it most."
The professional body and beyond
By 2001, she became a UK council member of the SoR, a role she took extremely seriously. A true intellectual, never afraid to speak her mind, propose or challenge policy and change.
From 2002, she was a member of the Approval and Accreditation Board (AAB). Her work was ongoing with the Society and College of Radiographers, radiotherapy education forums and the Radiotherapy Advisory Group (RAG).
Highly regarded by colleagues, her motivation and determination in combination with her wide-ranging skill set, brought admiration and respect not to mention lasting friendships, reflected in the cited tributes.
Charlotte Beardmore, executive director of professional policy for the SoR
“I was deeply saddened by the loss of Maureen. She was such a dedicated radiographer, a passionate educator and a cherished colleague. As a radiography lecturer Maureen gave so much of herself to the advancement of our profession, always sharing her knowledge generously, guiding many students and always striving to raise standards and radiographic practice through education.
“Through her active involvement with the Society and College of Radiographers over the years, she contributed meaningfully to the work of our professional body, helping to shape the future of Radiography education with her natural passion. She will be missed.”
Professor Audrey Paterson OBE, retired Director of Professional Policy (SoR).
“Maureen was a highly valued colleague and friend over more years than I can count, spanning Glasgow Caledonian University, her time as a Society of Radiographers Council Member and her huge contribution to the College of Radiographers’ education work over a good number of years, especially in relation to approvals and accreditation and the very first Curriculum Framework of the College back in the early 2000s when she took on the challenging task of Vice Chair of the Project Board.
“Maureen was one of those people who was always the first to step up to take on a difficult task and to do it without any fuss as well as with great camaraderie and good humour. Working with Maureen on anything was a joy; [she was] calm, thoughtful, thorough, witty and warm hearted.
“On a personal and private level Maureen was a hugely generous supporter of my various fundraising efforts for Cancer Research UK over the past decade and being geographically distant it acted as our annual catch up. I shall very much miss those emails. I am so very sorry that there will be no more and I shall remember her with much affection and appreciation.”
Professor Angela Duxbury, retired professor of therapeutic radiography, Sheffield Hallam University.
“I am so sorry to hear this very sad news. Maureen was one of the loveliest people that I have ever met through my work. She was well known through the national radiotherapy education forums and a very capable and competent presenter.
“She was able to put forward innovative ideas which were always patient-focused. I found her to be always striving to support others in their endeavours and she always supported me in mine. She was a well-loved and respected member of the profession.
“I remember the year she won the best paper prize for her Professional Doctorate research at a Radiotherapy conference, it was outstanding and I still cite and think about the outcomes often… Mo was a great dancer and always first on the dance floor. I am so saddened.”
Dr Brian Ellis, former head of Department, GCU.
“Maureen was a diligent academic who was able to skilfully lead her academic team and motivate her students through the ups and downs of academic life. Within our departmental senior team, she was a strong character who significantly contributed to the academic development of therapeutic radiography.”
Dr Margot McBride, FCR, clinical advisor, UK Council Member (SoR).
“Maureen was a dedicated, inspirational educator, who has undoubtedly left a lasting professional legacy which lives on in her written work and in those who were fortunate to have known her. For me she was a true friend who was always there for me during the ups and downs of life, sometimes with laughter and tears, her smile and sense of humour will be in my heart forever, her legacy lives on.”
Retirement
After retirement from GCU in 2016, Maureen completed her Professional Doctorate (2018). Ever mindful of her profession, her research had explored the experiences of radiotherapy students and their supervising radiographers during practice placement education.
Demonstrating desire and commitment, she embraced the task, set high standards and achieved her goal.
Dr Fiona Kennedy, Academic Development and Student Learning, GCU.
“My lasting memory will be her sheer grit and determination. She came to every supervision session, organised with a plan and even when she wrangled with the philosophical stances, she took the challenge ‘head on.’ She worked tirelessly on her thesis that was not only pleasurable to read but gave opportunity for rich discussion (which she jumped in to with ‘rich gusto’). When it got to her viva, she did herself proud. She ‘sailed it’ and I remember the external examiner being super complimentary and wanting her to get her work ‘out there.’
“She was a genuine pleasure to be around – hard working, funny, diligent, and dedicated. She will be absolutely missed.”
On completion of her Prof D, she shared her research findings getting her work ‘out there.’ These include:
- McPake M. (2018) Annual Radiotherapy Conference, Newcastle. Proffered paper: ‘A summary of the experience of undergraduate practice education in the U.K.
- McPake M. (2018) Achieving Excellence in Radiography Education and Research, Leeds. Invited speaker: ‘Sticking with the familiar: is this the best option for clinical education?’
- McPake M. (2019) Annual Radiotherapy Conference, Newcastle. Invited speaker: ‘Radiographers’ and students’ experiences of U.K. practice placement models: key findings.’
- McPake M. (2019) Radiographers and student’s experiences of undergraduate radiotherapy practice placements in the United Kingdom. Vol 25, Issue 3, Pages 220-226.
- McPake M. (2021) How do the attitudes of therapeutic radiographers affect students’ learning during practice placement? Vol 27, Issue 1, Pages 37-42.
Not unexpectedly she remained active in and supportive of her profession, becoming a reviewer for the Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice and trustee of the World Radiography Educational Trust Foundation (WRETF). Her membership of the AAB and RAG continued and following return to GCU as an honorary senior lecturer she was awarded Honorary Fellow.
Final thoughts
Maureen kept busy but as time passed started to feel progressively unwell. Initially treated for asthma, it was December 2023 that led to hospital admission, where investigations revealed a mass in her upper right lung. Although the cancer had progressed, biopsy identified genetic markers providing the opportunity for targeted therapy, which resulted in good quality outcomes with regular follow-up visits.
Family life, caring for her cats, attending family events, meeting friends, enjoying pilates and ‘ladies that lunch sessions,’ continued as normal. An avid follower of ‘Sewing Bee,’ her skills development resulted in the creation of several bespoke garments. Loyalty, creativity, and focus were key characteristics reflective of the Maureen we all knew and admired.
In June 2025, however, hospital admission and investigation identified malignant meningitis. With treatment proving unsuccessful, her wish was to ‘go home’ and surrounded by loving family with help from Marie Curie and district nursing staff she was made comfortable.
Sadly and by a strange twist of fate she was taken from us by Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), the topic of her earlier M Med Sci degree research.
There are no number of words that can fully describe the special person we knew as Maureen. Our thoughts are especially with her family but also her numerous friends and colleagues. Following her untimely passing, tributes from family, friends and colleagues were shared on a memorial page set up online. It is hoped that this memorial with tributes adds to the already shared memories and captures the essence of her life and work.
Although now gone from our world, her wonderful legacy will live on… ‘Shine bright my dearest Mo, I will always look for your shining star in the night sky…’
(Image: Maureen McPake)