THE funeral for Pat Hume, widow of Nobel laureate John Hume, will take place on Monday at St Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry.
Mrs Hume (83) passed away at her home following a short illness on Thursday, just over a year after the death of her husband, who also died at the age of 83.
Tributes have been paid from around the world for her role in the Northern Ireland peace process, leading to the Good Friday Agreement.
Her late husband’s closest advisor throughout his political career, she also provided the support he required to complete his work.
Mrs Hume’s family said their mother’s home and funeral would remain private due to current Coronavirus restrictions.
Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Eugene’s at 11am and can be viewed live through the Cathedral webcam. Following the service Mrs Hume will be laid to rest at Derry City Cemetery.
A steady stream of people visited Derry’s Guildhall yesterday after DUP Mayor of Derry and Strabane Graham Warke opened a book of condolence in memory of Mrs Hume.
Mr Warke said he felt it was important to offer people a chance to pay their respects and to express their thanks to a “remarkable and courageous woman”.
He said Mrs Hume had been unfailing in her service to the people of the city and across Northern Ireland and beyond.
“The tributes that have been pouring in from across the globe, from all spectrums of life, are testament to the contribution Pat Hume made in her own right to achieving peace and reconciliation, and the many lives she touched with her kindness and courage.
“I want to extend my own personal condolences to the Hume family today. They have given much over the years and to lose both John and Pat in such a short space of time is particularly heartbreaking.
However, it must be some comfort to know that Pat’s legacy will live on in the people of this city and in the ongoing work of the John and Pat Hume Foundation,” Mr Warke said.
The mayor said he spoke for everyone when he expressed gratitude for Mrs Hume’s “compassion, grace and commitment”.
The book of condolence can be signed at Guildhall or online at: https://www.derrystrabane.com/Subsites/Mayor/Mayors-Book-of-Condolences.
