Northern Ireland

Causeway council opens Book of Condolence for Pat Hume

Pat Hume passed away after a short illness last Thursday. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Pat Hume passed away after a short illness last Thursday. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Pat Hume passed away after a short illness last Thursday. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has opened a Book of Condolence in memory of Pat Hume, widow of the Nobel peace laureate, John Hume.

Mrs Hume (83) died last Thursday following a short illness, just over a year after the death of her husband, former SDLP leader, Mr Hume in August last year.

President Michael D Higgins, along with the Queen’s representative in Derry, deputy lord lieutenant Helen Quigley, were among the attendance at her Requiem Mass at St Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry yesterday. Mrs Hume was laid to rest in the same grave as her husband at Derry city cemetery.

Members of the public in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area will be able to leave their personal tributes on the Book of Condolence at Sheskburn House in Ballycastle, Ballymoney Town Hall, Cloonavin in Coleraine and the council’s Connell Street offices in Limavady from tomorrow until Thursday September 30.

Causeway Coast and Glens Ulster Unionist mayor Richard Holmes said Mrs Hume lived a life filled with “compassion and kindness”. With her husband she was dedicated to the pursuit of peace.

“Her unwavering support for John, throughout his long political career and beyond was clear to see and their collective contribution will never be forgotten,” Mr Holmes said.

He said all the tributes paid to Mrs Hume since her death were wholly deserved and the Book of Condolence would allow the public to share their thoughts and memories.

A Book of Condolence has also been opened by Derry city and Strabane district council.