NHS workers line the streets to applaud funeral cortege for medic, 78, who refused to retire even after five decades caring for others but was killed by coronavirus(6 Pics)
NHS workers took to the streets to applaud the coffin of a 78-year-old healthcare worker who died from coronavirus after refusing to retire after five decades of service.
Qualified nurse and care co-ordinator Sophie Fagan, 78, died at Homerton Hospital in East London on April 19 after contracting coronavirus.
It was the same hospital she had been working at.
Videos were posted on Twitter on May 14 showing NHS workers lining the streets outside Homerton Hospital to say goodbye to Ms Fagan.
Sophie Fagan, 78, died at Homerton Hospital in East London on April 19 after contracting coronavirus. She spent 54 years working in healthcare
NHS workers line the street outside Homerton Hospital applauding the hearse of Ms Fagan as she is driven past
In the clips people stand on both sides of the road and applaud the hearse as it makes its way past the hospital.
Other people throw flowers to say goodbye to her.
One video was posted by Ms Bilkis who said: 'The entire @NHSHomerton saying our farewell to our much loved & oldest serving colleague Sophie Fargan who passed away aged 78 fighting the #COVID19 fight. #RIPSOPHIEFAGAN'
Another person posted a video with the message: 'Sad my last goodbye to an NHS colleague from @NHSHomerton today. She was such a character. You heard her before you saw her. I had the privilege of knowing her from the age of 6 to 37 and worked with her for 7 years. RIP Sophie Fagan.'
A third said: '@NHSHomerton all outside our hospital to say goodbye to our deal colleague Sophie Fagan. She would have loved this send off. So sorry to lose you Sophie, thank you for all the good times. Xxx.'
Ms Fagan qualified as a nurse in the Eastern Hospital, Hackney in 1966.
She had worked as a community nurse and had been a care co-ordinator since 2000 at Homerton Hospital.
She never fully retired and could often be found meeting relatives and supporting staff when she was not due to be working.
Hospital chief executive Ms Fletcher said: 'Sophie wanted to make a difference and caring for the elderly was her passion.
'Her taste for the brightest and most colourful jumpers, her elegance and her ability to talk to everyone and anyone made her stand out in the hospital corridors.
'She was a passionate advocate for the patient and their relatives, exercising influence throughout the discharge process, including advocating for patients' ongoing care needs to the extent that she often pushed at the boundaries in these discussions on behalf of the patient.'
People stand on both sides of the road to pay their respects to Ms Fagan. Some people have their phones out to record the moment
Staff from Homerton Hospital, where Ms Fagan worked and died, stand on the pavement holding up signs as the hearse drives by
Ms Fagan's daughter-in-law Deni Fagan said she was dedicated to her son John and grandson Jack, 16.
She described Mrs Fagan as 'a fit and healthy lady who just loved life, nothing would have stopped her from working.
'She just refused to give up her job.... despite her age. It goes to show what kind of lady she was. We are really very proud of her.'
The Royal College of Nursing took to social media to express its condolences.
It posted on Twitter: 'It's with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to two members of East London's nursing family due to Covid-19.
'Our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of Michael Allieu and Sophie Fagan. Their commitment, passion, and dedication will never be forgotten.'
Ms Fagan, circled, qualified as a nurse in the Eastern Hospital, Hackney in 1966. She had worked as a community nurse and had been a care co-ordinator since 2000 at Homerton Hospital
Despite serving in healthcare for over half a century Ms Fagan refused to fully retire and could be found in the hospital greeting people even on her days off
NHS workers line the streets to applaud funeral cortege for medic, 78, who refused to retire even after five decades caring for others but was killed by coronavirus(6 Pics)
![NHS workers line the streets to applaud funeral cortege for medic, 78, who refused to retire even after five decades caring for others but was killed by coronavirus(6 Pics)]()
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May 15, 2020
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