Elaine Lister was born in Sandgate, Kent, on 5 November 1920. Her father, Major Charles Martin Lister MC, was in the Royal Artillery. Her mother was Frances née Cameron. She was educated at Babbington House School, Eltham, Hillingdon School and Cheltenham Technical College. She studied medicine at the Royal Free Hospital and, after junior posts, went to the College to be a prosector for Raymond Last whilst studying for the primary. Having passed the FRCS and intending a career as a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Elaine was registrar to Dame Josephine Barnes at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital. Subsequently she became registrar at the City Maternity Hospital in Carlisle under Josephine Williamson, and there, in 1958, met and married Archibald MacPherson Rankin, a general practitioner. They had one son, Robert Archibald Lister Rankin, and one daughter, Elizabeth Catherine Cameron Rankin, who became a consultant rheumatologist in Birmingham. At first Elaine was a part-time locum while her children were growing up. She then joined her husband as a full-time GP. She retained her interest in gynaecology and family planning. Elaine was a JP for nearly 30 years, was governor of the Nelson-Thomlinson School in Wigton and a member of the management committee of a nursing home in Silloth. A keen horsewoman, she enjoyed hunting and show jumping. For many years she was the area secretary of the Medical Women's Federation. She died from cerebrovascular disease on 24 February 2000.