MB ChB Manch 1953; DA Eng 1960.
McCracken was born in Rochdale on 24 January 1926 and was educated at Rochdale and Manchester High Schools for Girls. She received her medical education at the University of Manchester and held house appointments at Ashton General Hospital. She was senior house officer in obstetrics and gynaecology at Stepping Hospital Stockport and senior house officer in anaesthetics at Hope Hospital Salford before being appointed registrar at Hope in 1957. She later practised in Swinton and was medical assistant in anaesthetics for Salford Hospital Group.