Tributes have been paid to a former senior staff nurse on the children’s ward at the Cumberland Infirmary.
Mary Higney, who was a nurse for more than 40 years, passed away on Wednesday, November 13 at home, surrounded by her family.
Colleagues of Mary have said she was the ‘heart and soul’ of the children’s ward at the Cumberland Infirmary and that she will be ‘greatly missed’ by everyone who worked with her.
Mary moved to Carlisle from Scotland and completed her Registered General Nurse training in 1984.
She then went on to complete her Registered Sick Children's Nursing at Newcastle in 1989.
Mary soon progressed from staff nurse to ward sister and worked there until she retired in 2016 when she returned part time as a senior staff nurse.
In a statement, Mary's colleagues said: "Mary worked at CIC for 43 years and will be greatly missed by all her colleagues past and present.
“She always made time for the families on children's ward, no matter how busy things were.
“Her memory was outstanding, and she often recalled looking after the parents of children on the ward. We will all miss her stories and witty sense of humour.
"Mary was the heart and soul of children’s ward, who was kind, caring, with amazing knowledge and skills.
“She was a genuine advocate for children and great role model and mentor to so many people."
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A spokesperson for NCIC said: “Our heartfelt condolences are with Mary’s family and her many colleagues and friends at NCIC.”
Mary will be laid to rest in Kilsyth, Scotland on November 27.
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