She met her husband, the Yorkshire engineer Robert Blackburn, in 1912 and he introduced her to his love of aviation.

She hosted RAF officials, politicians, media and aviation pioneers in their homes in Leeds and in Bowcliffe Hall, in Bramham.

Blackburn learned to fly in Roundhay Park in Leeds, the test location for the company's new aircraft.

Another son, Rob, was killed in an accident in 1935 when he was hit by a car while riding his bike.

[4] Blackburn married again in 1941 to Group Captain Jack Noakes but again the marriage ended in divorce.