Who Was... Lady Portman?

     Lady Portman, Dorothy Marie Isolde, was born on the 23rd April 1878, the daughter of Sir Robert Sheffield. She was christened on 21st July of the same year, in Burton-upon-Stather. Her childhood days were spent at the nearby Normanby Hall.
     Dorothy married Capt. Gerald Burkeley Portman, who had been serving with the 10th Hussars, on the 16th July 1902 at Burton-on-Stather (or thereabouts), Lincolnshire.
    The two lived at Healing Manor together. When Lord Portman died in 1948, Lady Portman continued living there. The photographs I have suggest she must have had weak or failing legs, because she soon had an invalid carriage.
     Lady Portman died on 21st May 1964, and was buried with her husband in Healing churchyard. The grave is very prominent; a large stone rectangle, with letters engraved in:

Below is a picture of Lady Portman riding around Healing Manor. Despite her old age, she still managed to get around the paddocks, stubbing out thistles as she went by.

Here we have an image of Lady Portman sat in her carriage near the manor. Many thanks indeed to Kathleen Robinson, who sent in the above picture, as well as this one:

As I have already said, I am extremely grateful to Kathleen Robinson, who has sent these pictures in as part of the HVHPP (there are some more for future articles).

Regards,

James