About Shirley Tonkin
Lived 1921 – 2016 (aged 94). Shirley Tonkin was a New Zealand scientist, known for Sudden infant death syndrome.
Shirley Lyford Tonkin (née Curtis, 6 June 1921 – 27 January 2016) was a New Zealand paediatrican and sudden infant death syndrome researcher.
Early life and family Born in Stratford on 6 June 1921, Tonkin was the younger daughter of Nora Bessie Curtis (née Lyford) and her husband, Leslie Ralfe Curtis. She was educated at Samuel Marsden Collegiate School in Wellington from 1937 to 1938. She then studied medicine at the University of Otago, graduating MB ChB in 1946.
She married John Carvossoe Stephen Tonkin on 5 April 1947. The couple had two children.
Death Tonkin died at her home in Auckland on 27 January 2016.
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Important facts
People in Shirley Tonkin's life
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Shirley Tonkin?
paediatrician and infant death syndrome researcher
When was Shirley Tonkin born?
Shirley Tonkin was born on 6 June 1921 in Stratford.
When did Shirley Tonkin die?
Shirley Tonkin died on 27 January 2016 in Auckland.
What was Shirley Tonkin's occupation?
Shirley Tonkin was a scientist.
What was Shirley Tonkin known for?
Shirley Tonkin was known for Sudden infant death syndrome.
What nationality was Shirley Tonkin?
Shirley Tonkin was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Shirley Tonkin. https://biography.guide/shirley-tonkin/
MLA: "Shirley Tonkin." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/shirley-tonkin/.
Chicago: "Shirley Tonkin." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/shirley-tonkin/.
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