Moving ceremony at Wigan hospital for popular midwife

Linda Clarke, who died with Covid-19 aged 66, was remembered in an emotional event on Friday.
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The ceremony took place in the Roy Hartley Memorial Garden at Wigan Infirmary the day before the first anniversary of her death.

Friends family and colleagues all attended the remembrance event.

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Rev Anne Edwards led the service and there were also contributions from Silas Nichols, the chief executive of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh (WWL) Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and chief nurse Rabina Tindale.

A plaque to midwife Linda Clarke was unveiled at Wigan InfirmaryA plaque to midwife Linda Clarke was unveiled at Wigan Infirmary
A plaque to midwife Linda Clarke was unveiled at Wigan Infirmary
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WWL paid tribute to Linda, who had worked in the borough’s health service for three decades and helped to bring thousands of Wiganers into the world.

Audrey Livesey, in-patient maternity matron at WWL, said: “Linda was much loved and respected as a colleague within the maternity multidisciplinary team but also as a friend, so it’s with a great sense of pride that we have been able to place the plaque and flowers in her honour.

“She not only enriched the lives of everyone she knew, but provided excellent care for expectant mums and brought many new lives into our borough.

Linda ClarkeLinda Clarke
Linda Clarke
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“We continue to remember her with fondness, and our thoughts and condolences remain with Linda’s family, friends and loved ones.”

Her partner David Sheasby has paid tribute to Linda’s adventurous spirit, describing their intrepid backpacking trips around the world.

The couple also shared a deep love of Northern Soul music, having met at an event dedicated to the tracks that made Wigan Casino famous around the world.

Tributes to Linda told how she was an extremely well-known figure in the borough and would often be stopped in the street by residents.

Silas Nicholls, Rev Anne Edwards and Rabina TindaleSilas Nicholls, Rev Anne Edwards and Rabina Tindale
Silas Nicholls, Rev Anne Edwards and Rabina Tindale
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Linda was born in Kirkcaldy in Scotland and moved to England to work as a nurse and then a midwife, initially in Oldham and then Burnley.

She settled in Wigan, working at Billinge Hospital and then Wigan Infirmary, becoming the delivery suite co-ordinator.

David, who is from Tamworth in Staffordshire, spoke of her devotion to her job.

He said; “She was very work-orientated. She lived for her job. She loved being a midwife.”

Family, friends and colleagues attended the memorial eventFamily, friends and colleagues attended the memorial event
Family, friends and colleagues attended the memorial event
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Due to her health conditions she was told to shield last March but tested positive for Covid.

Her condition deteriorated and she went into intensive care, but sadly she died on April 17, 2020.

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