Patricia AnneOLIVERPatricia Anne Oliver (nee Davies) passed away unexpectedly after an extended stay in East Surrey Hospital on 16 September 2022, aged 85 years. Born in East Finchley in 1937, she left school at 16 and went to a nursing college in the Swiss Cottage, before joining the Royal Free Hospital where she qualified as a State Registered Nurse. She moved on to the Mile End Hospital in the East End of London to study midwifery qualifying as a State Certified Midwife, and later at the Woking Hospital gained State Registration in Mental Nursing. Pat then took the role of District Nurse & Midwife covering the four areas of Four Elms, Edenbridge, Hever and Westerham, living initially in Four Elms before moving to Edenbridge in the early 1960's. As a result of the key role she played in the area there were few people in the town who didn't recognise her, as she had delivered most of the children born in the town before 1970, at which point her attention moved to her own family, and then a teaching role looking after children with Special Educational Needs at what was then Edenbridge First School. Pat then returned to nursing, ending her career as a Staff Nurse at Kent and Sussex Hospital where she worked until she retired. A stalwart member of the community, Pat's voluntary work was significant. Taking a keen interest in the Red Cross as soon as she moved to the area, she became a driving force of the Edenbridge branch, taught first aid and nursing skills in local schools, trained first aiders for businesses across West Kent, organised crèches at key town events, and ran the local blood donor sessions for many years. This devoted service spanning 30+ years was rewarded with the coveted Badge of Honour. Alongside her husband Paul she was integral to the creation of the Edenbridge Covenant of Churches, and was heavily involved in parish activities in both St Lawrence's and SS Peter and Paul's churches, helping with fund raisers, running the refreshment tent at the then Edenbridge based Agricultural Show, and becoming a Traidcraft Fair Trade Representative. In the mid 1990s Pat devoted more of her retirement to the church, serving as a Pastoral Assistant at SS Peter & Paul church for close to 20 years and volunteering at Burrswood Christian hospital bookshop near Groombridge. As you would expect from an old-fashioned, no-nonsense nurse she was always quick to help others before herself. In later years, health troubles forced her to slow down and over the last 10 years she became less mobile. Sadly Pat suffered various complications in hospital during her recovery from a fall in June. She is survived by her children, John and Margaret, three grandchildren and her brother & sister. Funeral will take place at St Peter & Pauls Church Edenbridge on the 17th of October 2022 at 12.00pm. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu to the Red Cross. For funeral details please contact S Smith & Sons 2 High Street Edenbridge Kent TN8 5AG 01732 862117
Keep me informed of updates
Add a tribute for Patricia
