Tributes have been paid following the death of Pat Hume, the widow of former SDLP leader John Hume.
Mrs Hume died on Thursday evening.
Her death comes just over a year after that of her Nobel Peace Prize-winning husband John. His death led to a flood of tributes from around the world.
Born in Derry, she and John married in 1960 and had five children. A teacher for 25 years, she left the profession to manage her husband’s constituency office and was a point of contact for the many local families who went to her for help and support.
A statement from the Hume family said: “We are heartbroken to announce the death of Pat Hume at home in Derry earlier this afternoon after a short illness.
“Pat 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.
“She would prioritise public health at all times. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course which will adhere to Covid guidance. The wake will be restricted to family only.”
The family paid tribute to the medical staff who had cared for their mother in her final days.
Mrs Hume had worked alongside her husband for several decades, from the beginning of the civil rights movement in the 1960s through until after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
She was awarded the Irish Red Cross Lifetime Achievement award in 2018 and a foundation honouring her and her husband’s peace and reconciliation work was launched last year.
Tributes
Current SDLP leader Colum Eastwood paid tribute to Mrs Hume, saying that “without her, there would have been no peace process in Ireland”.
Mr Eastwood added: “The compassion, integrity and immense fortitude that defined her incredible character breathed life into our peace over the course of a long campaign that, at times, must have looked like it would never bear fruit. Pat never gave up faith.
Without Pat Hume, there would have been no peace process in Ireland, that’s the simple truth.
The compassion, integrity and immense fortitude that defined her incredible character breathed life into our peace. Thank you for everything, Pat.https://t.co/q2cuJ88UUA— Colum Eastwood 🇺🇦 (@columeastwood) September 2, 2021
Advertisement
“Pat was, of course, John’s guiding light. She was his constant companion, sharing the road and easing the burden in the most difficult of times. When they came under public pressure and attacks on their home for doing what they knew was right, she remained his rock.
“The scale of his achievement was made possible by the depth of her love. But she was, in her own right, a fierce champion for peace and justice.
“Pat holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Derry. She would have done anything for them and, in return, they loved her.
“Our city is in mourning tonight for a woman who showed us unconditional compassion and support every day of her life. We all live in an Ireland that she nurtured, at peace with itself and free to set its own destiny. It is an incredible legacy that will never be forgotten.
“My thoughts are with Pat’s children Aine, Therese, Aiden, John and Mo, her beloved grandchildren and their wide circle of friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
Deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pat Hume, wife of the late John Hume.
Alongside her husband, Pat made it her life’s work to bring peace and stability to this island – showing huge resilience and courage along the way.
My deepest condolences to all of the Hume family.— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 2, 2021
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the Hume family on the death of their beloved mother, Pat.
“A devoted wife of Nobel prize winner, the late John Hume, she was his 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.
“I want to recognise the tremendous contribution Pat made in their life’s work for peace and stability on this island and her resilience and courage on the path to peaceful change.
“Her love and care for John and their family and her commitment to helping the community and people of Derry means she will be much missed.”
Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said Mrs Hume was a “gracious, determined force behind the achievement of peace in Ireland.”
Pat Hume was a gracious, determined force behind the achievement of peace in Ireland. She and her husband John both made the world a better place and set an example for us all. Sending my condolences to her family. https://t.co/cAC9IYrobq
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 2, 2021
Mrs Clinton and her husband Bill made several visits to Derry, with their first visit in 1995, shortly after the IRA ceasefires.
President Michael D Higgins said Pat Hume had made an “extraordinary contribution to life on this island and beyond”.
He added: “The life of Pat Hume was one of total commitment to community, to the possibilities of peace, to the measures of non-violence that were necessary to assert, vindicate and achieve the results of civil rights.
“While her support of the work of her late husband and Nobel Prize recipient, John Hume, was an exercise in solidarity, a partnership in courage, endurance and fortitude, her personal contribution was unique, immense and important in its own right.
“Pat’s personal contribution as teacher, mother, in conditions of conflict, political adviser, constituency secretary and consoler of the victims of oppression from so many sources, was extraordinary in every sense.”
"That life of Pat Hume was one of total commitment to community, to the possibilities of peace, to the measures of non-violence that were necessary..."
Statement by President Michael D. Higgins on the passing of Pat Hume:https://t.co/cyFKI8wLTb— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) September 2, 2021
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson said that Pat Hume had lived a “unique life”.
He said: “My deepest sympathies to the Hume family on the death of Pat Hume. A unique life well lived and no one who met John left the conversation without knowing Pat. A lovely lady.”
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald, said she had been left “deeply saddened” by the news.
She added: “I extend my deepest condolences to her family and friends. She will be sadly missed by her children, extended family and friends, colleagues and the people of Derry.”
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Pat Hume today. I extend my deepest condolences to her family and friends. She will be sadly missed by her children, extended family and friends, colleagues and the people of Derry. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) September 2, 2021
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said Mrs Hume’s dedication to peace “was total”.
She said: “Very sorry to hear Pat Hume has passed away – an absolute lady, warm & friendly, always encouraging. Her dedication to peace was total as was her dedication to John esp. in his latter years.”
Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie tweeted: “Although we never met I am saddened by the death of Pat Hume. My thoughts are with her family.”
Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown said Pat Hume was “small in stature, but a colossus” in Irish history.
He added: “She was the rock behind the man who rightly has been credited as the architect of our current peace.
“In the course of that long and challenging journey towards the peace we enjoy today Pat was brave, courageous and uncompromising, yet she was always gentle and profound in respect for other people and their opinions.”
