Irene Callaghan, whose lifelong nursing career and charity commitment were recognised with an MBE and an honorary fellowship of Abertay University, has died at her Angus home.
Born in Edinburgh, she started her nurse training at the city’s Royal Infirmary in 1964.
She qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1967, moving to Belfast to complete midwifery training and remained at the city’s Royal Victoria Hospital for 15 years, working in the surgical unit and as a sister in the A&E department.
It was while working at the Royal that she met her husband-to-be, Stanley, and they returned to Scotland in 1982 when he secured a consultant cardiology position at Stracathro Hospital.
Following a career break to start a family, Mrs Callaghan returned to nursing in a teaching capacity, firstly as a clinical nurse tutor at Stracathro and then a nurse lecturer at Dundee University.
In December last year, Mrs Callaghan was made an honorary fellow of Abertay University in recognition of a 30-year association with the establishment.
She completed her BSc Nursing Studies with Distinction in 1990 and followed it with a Masters of Philosophy in 1994.
She received the MBE from Prince Charles at a Buckingham Palace ceremony in July 2007 for her services to nursing and charity.
Mrs Callaghan had a passion for singing and was a member of the Tayside Hospital Choirs for nearly 30 years.
She died peacefully at her home in Brechin surrounded by family and is survived by her husband Stanley, aughter Rhona, son Gavin, their spouses and three grandchildren.
Mrs Callaghan’s funeral will be held on Monday, at 11am, at the Central Baptist Church on Ward Road, Dundee, to which all are welcome.
