Tributes to Sunderland GP Patricia Hickey ahead of funeral

Dr Patricia Hickey was the third generation of Dr Hickeys to practise in Sunderland, after her grandfather emigrated to the city from Ireland in the 1890s.

She was a lifelong member of St Mary’s RC Church in the city and was well- known in Catholic circles throughout the diocese.

After qualifying in medicine at Durham University in 1955, she joined her father Patrick’s surgery in Toward Road and went on to work in Hendon, Springwell and the New City Health Centres until she retired in 1993.

In 1957, she married fellow GP Dr John Hume and the couple were parents to Frank, 53, who works in the NHS in Norfolk as a contracting director, Simon, 50, an IT manager in Munich, and Maimie. 55, an entrepreneur.

After she was widowed in 1993, she found happiness again with Dr Michael Mummery.

Both weddings at St Mary’s were led by John’s brother, the late Cardinal Basil Hume.

The grandmother also leaves stepchildren Helen Kiker, Peter Mummery, Clare Cook and Charlotte Mummery.

Son Frank said: “She was a big personality and spent her life as a GP, caring for her patients.

“My mother was known for her compassion and for being forthright with her views.

“She was from an old-school medical family and held very strong beliefs.”

Her funeral will be on Monday, April 25, at 12.05pm at St Mary’s Church, in Bridge Street.