Susan Cunliffe-Lister, Baroness Masham of Ilton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Countess of Swinton DL
Official portrait, 2019
Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal
In office 25 February 1970 – 12 March 2023 Life peerage
Personal details
Born	Susan Lilian Primrose Sinclair (1935-04-14)14 April 1935
Died	12 March 2023(2023-03-12) (aged 87)
Nationality	British
Political party	Crossbench
Spouse	David Cunliffe-Lister, 2nd Earl of Swinton ​ ​ (m. 1959; died 2006)​
Alma mater	Royal Polytechnic Institution (now University of Westminster)
Susan Masham Medal record Representing  Great Britain Paralympic Games Para-swimming Gold 1960 Rome 25m breaststroke complete class 2 Silver 1960 Rome 25m backstroke complete class 2 Silver 1964 Tokyo 25m freestyle prone complete C2 Silver 1964 Tokyo 25m freestyle supine complete C2 Silver 1964 Tokyo 25m breaststroke complete C2 Table tennis Gold 1964 Tokyo Women's doubles B Silver 1964 Tokyo Women's singles B Silver 1968 Tel Aviv Women's doubles B Bronze 1960 Rome Women's doubles B Bronze 1968 Tel Aviv Women's singles B

Susan Lilian Primrose Cunliffe-Lister, Baroness Masham of Ilton (born Sinclair; April 14, 1935 – March 12, 2023) was an amazing British woman. She was a member of the House of Lords, which is part of the UK Parliament. She was also a strong voice for people with disabilities and a talented Paralympic athlete.

Baroness Masham was a Vice President of the Snowdon Trust. This charity helps students with disabilities get grants and scholarships. She was a member of the House of Lords for 53 years. This was the longest time any woman had served there.

Early Life and Family

Susan Sinclair was born on April 14, 1935. Her father was Major Sir Ronald Sinclair, a Baronet. She went to school at Heathfield School and then studied at the London Polytechnic. This school is now known as the University of Westminster.

In 1959, she married David Cunliffe-Lister. He later became the Earl of Swinton in 1972. When she married, she became known as Lady Masham. Later, she was called the Countess of Swinton. In 1970, she was given a special title called a life peer. This meant she became the Baroness Masham of Ilton. This title was hers for life.

Susan and her husband adopted two children, Clare and Jessie. Her husband passed away in 2006. Baroness Masham herself passed away on March 12, 2023, at the age of 87.

Champion for Disability Rights

In 1958, Susan had a riding accident that caused her to become disabled. After this, she became a very important champion for people with disabilities. She worked hard to improve their lives.

Baroness Masham was very active in the House of Lords. She focused on topics like disability, health, and making prisons better. She even opened a factory called Nordis Signs in Northampton. This factory hired mostly people with disabilities.

She also continued to run the Masham Riding Centre in North Yorkshire. In 2011, she received a special award from the Royal College of Nursing. Baroness Masham was also a long-time supporter and patron of the charity Disability Action Yorkshire. She also started the Spinal Injuries Association and was its president.

Paralympic Sports Career

Baroness Masham was a fantastic athlete who competed in several Paralympic Games.

Rome 1960 Paralympics

At the very first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, she won several medals:

• Gold medal in swimming (25m breaststroke).
• Silver medal in swimming (25m backstroke).
• Bronze medal in table tennis (women's doubles).

Tokyo 1964 Paralympics

Four years later, at the 1964 Tokyo Paralympics, she continued her success:

• Gold medal in table tennis (women's doubles) with her partner Gwen Buck.
• Silver medal in table tennis (women's singles).
• Three silver medals in swimming (25m freestyle prone, 25m freestyle supine, and 25m breaststroke).

Tel Aviv 1968 Paralympics

At the 1968 Tel Aviv Paralympics, Baroness Masham added more medals to her collection:

• Silver medal in table tennis (women's doubles) again with Gwen Buck.
• Bronze medal in table tennis (women's singles).

Her achievements in sports showed her incredible determination and skill.

See also

In Spanish: Susan Cunliffe-Lister para niños