Pery, Sylvia (1935–)
Pery, Sylvia (1935–)
English public health worker. Name variations: Sylvia Rosalind Lush; Countess of Limerick. Born Sylvia Rosalind Lush, 1935, in England; dau. of Brigadier Maurice Stanley Lush; graduate of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University; m. Patrick Edmund Pery, 6th earl of Limerick (Baron Glentworth of Mallow, Baron Foxford of Stackpole Court), 1961; daughter-in-law of Angela Olivia Pery; children: 2 sons, 1 daughter.
Public health worker who earned acclaim for campaign against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), served as research assistant at Foreign Office (1959–62); worked on staff of British Red Cross Society (1962–66) and trained as medical officer before embarking on 1962 botanical expedition to Nepal with husband; had distinguished career in health field, serving on several hospital governing boards, area health authorities, community health councils and numerous other health-care organizations; began serving as vice-chair of Foundation for Study of Infant Deaths (1971); served as vice-president of Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors Association (1978–84), then president (1984–2002); appointed chair of British Red Cross (1985–95), chairing Chief Medical Officer's expert group to investigate SIDS (1994–98) and co-writing report Sudden Infant Death. Named Commander of British Empire (CBE, 1991).