Tributes have been paid to a popular Healthcare Support Worker from Bangor whose warmth and kindness helped thousands of local people in their recovery from mental ill health.

Former colleagues of Rosina Pegler say she epitomised everything that is good about the NHS and her death has left a huge void at Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Hergest Unit, where she had worked for over 24 years.

Despite being diagnosed with a terminal illness in her mid-sixties, Mrs Pegler had no intention of retiring and bravely continued working in the job she loved for four years.

Following her death on December 23rd last year, aged 70, donations were fittingly given in her memory to help support the recovery of Hergest Unit patients.

Presenting a cheque for £620 to his wife’s former colleagues, Mr Gerry Pegler said: “Rosina loved her work and was in return loved and respected by patients and colleagues alike. Nothing was too much trouble for her and although not in the best of health Rosina bravely fought on organising parties and entertainment for her charges.”

Shyam Kishto, Manager of Cynan Ward at the Hergest Unit, paid tribute to her dedication and passion for helping others. He said: “I have never worked with a person who gives as much attention and passion as she did. She loved people, worked hard, and always tried to lift the spirits of those around her.

“She was easily on of the most compassionate people I have ever known – the kind of person who goes out of her way to help the less fortunate at the first opportunity. I believe these characteristics represent all that is good in our organisation.”

Mrs Pegler started her career in the health service at the former St David’s Hospital in Bangor before working on mental health wards at Ysbyty Gwynedd. She later worked at the hospital’s Hergest Unit from the date it opened in 1993 up until her death last year.

She was given an NHS award in recognition of her determination to go ‘above and beyond’ the call of duty to support her patients and continued to organise trips and activities to help support the recovery of mental health patients up until her final months.

Shyam added: “She continued to repeatedly impress our team over the years despite her enduring a personal battle after being diagnosed with terminal illness for the past 4 years”

Photo (Left to Right: Delyth Pritchard, Susan Jones, Gerry Pegler, Cheryl Williams)