Tributes have been paid to the late, well-respected former nurse and founder member of Combat Cancer (Cancer Focus), Jane Packham, who used her many talents to the full and took great care of her patients.

Jane, 86 – formerly of Upper Celtic Park, Enniskillen – passed away peacefully at the Silverdale Care Home, Castlederg on Thursday, July 21, following a battle with cancer.

Paying tribute to her beloved late older sister, Muriel Perry spoke fondly of Jane, crediting her "many talents".

"She used them to the full, and was never afraid of work," she said.

Jane was born on November 28, 1935, and was the fourth of nine children for Joseph and Isobella Davis, of Cloghroe, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal.

"Our family grew up on a busy farm where everyone had their chores to do, morning and evening. Enjoying outdoor life, we were always a happy bunch, with the odd disagreement," said Muriel.

As a child, Jane received her primary education at Cloghroe National School and then attended Stranorlar Vocational School, where her desire was to qualify in Domestic Science.

"On changing her mind, she travelled on the overnight ferry to England, accompanied by our father, who stayed for a few days to see her settled.

"She always appreciated our father's concern for her welfare," said Muriel, noting that this was the first step that Jane took into a lifelong career in nursing.

She went on to complete her eye training in The Wolverhampton Eye Infirmary. Next, Jane went to Dudley Guest General Hospital, where she completed her State Registered Nurses (SRN) training.

She continued to work in Dudley Guest as a staff nurse, and later she moved to Ratheane Hospital in Coleraine where she took on the position of the Day Sister.

"She took flight again to Enniskillen," said Muriel, explaining that her sister was appointed Nursing Sister in charge of the Accident and Emergency and Outpatients wards.

After a short time of living and working in Enniskillen, she met and fell in love with Dr. Dennis Packham.

"They were married on May 11, 1965, in Stranorlar Presbyterian Church and set up home in Enniskillen.

"Sadly, Dr. Dennis died suddenly in August, 1994, after 29 years of marriage," said Muriel.

Jane loved her work and especially meeting new patients and reassuring those concerned about their health.

"She was one of the First Responders at the Enniskillen Bombing, and her dedication to her work was rewarded with a medal," noted Muriel.

Aside from her working life, Jane had a wide range of pastimes. She thoroughly enjoyed reading, gardening, cooking, entertaining, dancing, travelling, attending the theatre, meeting friends for lunch/coffee and playing badminton.

"She also loved to dress up and go out somewhere nice in the evenings," added Muriel.

Jane was a founder member of Combat Cancer, in Enniskillen. The charity has since been renamed Cancer Focus.

"She was a founder member over 40 years ago, and she was the secretary for years. She did a lot of fundraising, selling tickets and she always had a coffee morning in her own home. She also attended everybody else's coffee mornings," said Muriel.

In 1992, then a former out-patient sister at the Erne Hospital, and secretary of the Fermanagh Branch of Combat Cancer, Jane officially opened the then Enniskillen hospital’s new mammography unit in the radiology department.

Speaking at a short reception at the Erne Hospital after cutting the ribbon, Jane had said it was an “honour” and that she was delighted that the hospital had a “permanent unit”. This was reported in The Impartial Reporter at the time.

Three years ago, Jane sold her home in Enniskillen and moved to Donegal. She stayed with Muriel and her husband Willie for some time, and later moved to the family farm, where her niece Valeria and family live.

In January of this year, Jane had surgery in a Dublin hospital, from which she recovered very well.

"After that, her health gradually deteriorated," explained Muriel, noting how her sister then moved into Silverdale Care Home in Castlederg on June 7, where she received "excellent care" until her recent passing.

Jane's funeral arrangements were by Marcus Madill Funeral Director. A service of thanksgiving took place on Monday, July 25 in Lisbellaw Parish Church, followed by interment in Lisbellaw Presbyterian Churchyard.

Donations in lieu of flowers, if desired, are to Cancer Focus.

A much loved wife of the late Dr. Dennis Packham, and a very dear sister of Priscilla, Muriel, Norman and the late Isobel, Doreen, Robert, Billy and John, dear sister-in-law of William and Angela, and also a dear aunt to all her nieces and nephews, Jane is lovingly remembered by all her family.