Hospital’s tribute to local nurse who died after crash

Tributes have been paid to a Carrickfergus nurse who died after a traffic collision on the Belfast Road last Wednesday evening.
Heather Steele.  INCT 36-724-CONHeather Steele.  INCT 36-724-CON
Heather Steele. INCT 36-724-CON

Heather Steele had spent several weeks in Nigeria earlier this year assisting the Save a Heart Foundation.

Originally from Greenisland, the 53-year-old worked in London for a number of years before returning to the borough to care for her mother.

A funeral service was held for Ms Steele on Tuesday afternoon at Greenisland Presbyterian Church.

Only a few weeks ago, she gave a talk to the congregation about her work in Africa with the Save a Heart team.

The charity works to provide surgical treatment for heart disease for all deserving patients within the Nigerian community.

Reverend Harold McConnell, who conducted the service, said: “Heather worked for some years at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and more recently at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London before returning home to care for her mother.

“She also cared for her father until he passed away in 2010.

“Her death is a great loss to the nursing profession; I know staff at the Royal Brompton had made plans to close one of the operating theatres for a period of time [on Tuesday] as a mark of respect to Heather.”

Earlier this year, Ms Steele was part of a team of 18 from the Royal Victoria Hospital who travelled to Nigeria to assist with cardiac surgery.

“Her time in Africa was her first mission with the Save a Heart Foundation; I know her skills and professionalism were very much appreciated by the group,” Rev McConnell added.

“She was not only a wonderful girl and a great nurse, but her devotion as a daughter was outstanding. She put her career on standby to care for both her parents, just as she did to carry out her work in Africa.

“She will be very sadly missed by her brothers Raymond, Derek and Colin, and her mother May.”

In a statement placed on their website, the Save a Heart Foundation said Heather was a ‘great inspiration’ to many.

“Her dedication to our Save a Heart charity work at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu was unparalleled,” the statement added.

East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson, who knew Ms Steele’s family, said she was a ‘very caring’ person.

“She was a lifelong member of Greenisland Presbyterian Church, a past pupil of Greenisland Primary School and was very well known in the area,” he added.

“My thoughts are with her family and friends; they have my sympathies at this very difficult time.”

Ms Steele was laid to rest following the funeral service at Victoria Cemetery.

Her family have requested that donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Save a Heart Foundation via Mulhollands Funeral Directors.