- Published
Pat Hume, the widow of the late SDLP leader and Nobel prize winner John Hume, has died after a short illness.
Mrs Hume worked alongside her husband from the beginning of the civil rights movement in Londonderry in the 1960s.
Her work continued during the Troubles, through to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Mrs Hume ran operations on the ground, manning Mr Hume's Foyle constituency office dealing with community issues, housing and poverty in Derry.
In a statement, the Hume family said they were "heartbroken" to announce her death, adding that she "died as she lived - surrounded by family, peacefully and generous to the end".
"Pat spent some days in the hospital in the days preceding her death and she saw first-hand the outstanding work that healthcare workers do, and the pressures that they are facing due to Covid," the family statement said.
"She would prioritise public health at all times."
The family paid tribute to the medical staff who cared for their mother in her final days.
Her death comes just over a year after the death of her husband.
Mrs Hume was awarded the Irish Red Cross Lifetime Achievement award in 2018 .
A foundation honouring John and Pat Hume's peace and reconciliation work was launched in November last year .
'Compassion, fortitude and strength'
In a statement, Foyle MP and current SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, said: "Pat's compassion, fortitude and strength of character was a driving force behind the peace process".
"Without Pat Hume, there would have been no peace process in Ireland, that's the simple truth," he said.
Former US first lady Hillary Clinton said Mrs Hume was "a gracious, determined force behind the achievement of peace in Ireland".
Mrs Clinton added that the Humes "made the world a better place and set an example for us all".
"A unique life well lived," said DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.
"No one who met John left the conversation without knowing Pat," he added.
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said she was "deeply saddened" by the news.
"She will be sadly missed by her children, extended family and friends, colleagues and the people of Derry," she added.
"Her dedication to peace was total as was her dedication to John, especially in his latter years," said Alliance leader Naomi Long.
DUP assembly member Gary Middleton described Mrs Hume as having a "radiant passion" for the city and said his thoughts were with the Hume family at this time.
Tributes were also paid by Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin who described Mrs Hume as John's "partner in family life and in political life".
"Pat and John worked side by side for decades, she was his trusted adviser at key political moments and his anchor in their beloved Derry," Mr Martin said.
Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Louise Haigh described Pat as "an extraordinary woman, and a courageous peacemaker".
Former NI Secretary Julian Smith said Pat Hume was an incredible person and a "key player in bringing peace to Northern Ireland".
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- Published
- 3 August 2020
from Via PakapNews