Death of Nenagh born champion of nurses
The death has taken place of Patricia Morris-Thompson, a Nenagh woman who was highly distinguished in the medical field in Britain over a 37-year stellar career in the nursing and caring sectors.
Trisha, or Trish, as she was known to her family and a wide circle of great friends, rose to the top of her profession in the UK and throughout her career was a staunch advocate of best practice in mental health, midwifery and nursing in general. Among the leading posts she held was Chief Nurse Executive Director at the NHS in London. A midwife herself, a nurse executive, and the holder of a professorship in nursing, the impression she made in the medical field was far reaching and highly impressive.
A proud Nenagh woman, residing for a number of years in California and formerly London, Trisha grew up as part of a family of ten children at Annbrook, Nenagh. She comes from a clan steeped in the GAA throughout North Tipperary and all through her life Tricia maintained strong links with her home town, despite many decades working in England.
She had a great love of her native county, underlined last July when she defied the limitations of her 62 years to abseil 262 feet from London’s highest sculpture to raise funds for the Dillon Quirke Foundation, a charity set up by the family of the 24-year-old Tipperary hurler who died in August 2022 from sudden adult death syndrome while playing the game he loved in Semple Stadium, Thurles. The aim of the foundation is to enable every young GAA player to have appropriate screening to prevent more young people facing a fate similar to Dillon. “I’m petrified of heights,” said Trisha as she faced her self-imposed challenge just six months ago, before adding: “But most importantly, I would like to raise funds for a cause that’s close to my heart.” But that was Trisha, a woman who would stretch herself to the limits to help others. She was kind, caring and loving.
‘FIERCELY IRISH’
Described by one of her two sons as “fiercely Irish”, Trisha came home to Nenagh regularly to see her many former school friends and family, with whom she maintained incredibly close ties.
Among those very well-known family members in this community who survive her are her 94-year-old father Jimmy and her brothers, Martin, the proprietor of the Hibernian Inn on Pearse Street, and Seamus, the local Independent councillor.
Trisha was not only a loving and loyal daughter, mother, wife and sister, she also had quite a circle of very close friends from all over the world.
Despite her years away, she maintained strong lifelong bonds with many of her fellow pupils from Saint Mary’s convent primary and secondary schools whom she grew up with in Nenagh in the 1960s-70s. She visited home only last month to catch up with everyone.
VOCAL AMBASSADOR
Trish retired from her profession in 2017 after a 38-year career in which she worked in high-ranking positions both in the National Health Service and the private sector in England.
A vocal ambassador for nurses and carers, she was also an established author, and her work has been published frequently in professional journals. With her international reputation for leadership in nursing and midwifery, she was the holder of many coveted awards for her dedication and contribution to her profession.
On her retirement seven years ago, she was described by colleagues as someone who had a far-reaching impact across different areas of healthcare through her numerous professional and voluntary roles.
Among the roles in which she served was as Director of Quality and Clinical Governance at the national healthcare provider, Barchester Healthcare. The CEO of Barchester, Dr Pete Calveley, described her as “a fantastic ambassador” for the organisation “and for the nursing procession as a whole”.
Cathy Warwick, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said Trisha was “a committed advocate for high-quality maternity care” and “a strong supporter of midwives”.
Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive, Care England said she had made “an outstanding contribution” to health and care over her very distinguished career. “Trish has excelled as a practitioner, manager, thought leader and academic, and is one of very few people who has worked in both the NHS and the independent sector.”
Among the top positions she held included: Nurse Advisor to Care England and Trustee at The Florence Nightingale Foundation. She was also a member of the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Professional Strategic Advisory Group.
EXUBERANCE
The exuberance Trisha had for life was just incredible. As well the passion she exuded for her work, family and friends, she was a dedicated fashionista. Indeed, her unbounded sense of style reflected a woman full of fun and good humour who truly lived life to the end with all brakes off.
Though poignant is the untimely passing of such a successful woman who loved and served intensely, it’s fitting that Trisha left us on the Feast Day of Saint Brigid, the “mother saint” of Ireland.
Trish is predeceased by her mother Nonie, and her sisters Jane (Devaney) and Monica (O' Brien) and by her sister-in-law, Bernie Morris.
She is survived by her husband Matt, sons Luke and Sean; her father Jimmy; brothers, Martin, Con, Seamus and Gerard and sisters, Marian, Bernadette and Martina.
She is also survived by a large extended family from Borrisokane and other areas of the country.
Funeral arrangemets later. May she rest in peace.