THE flag is flying above the town hall this morning following the announcement that one of St Helens best loved characters Sister Kathleen Duffy has died aged 85.

A St Helens Council spokesman confirmed that Sister Duffy had died last night.

She became a local legend for the care she provided at St Helens' Providence Hospital, a Catholic institution loved by people from all walks of life.

Sister Duffy came to St Helens from Ireland as a young nurse and made it her home.

In 2001 she was granted the Freedom of the Borough at Holy Cross Church, alongside the likes of Saints great Alex Murphy and motorcycle legend Geoff Duke.

She cared for countless patients at the 'Provvy' and trained many young nurses too. The esteem in which she was held has been underlined by the outpouring of tributes on social media.

Saints rugby heroes of the past were among those she treated.

Former Saints player Peter Harvey said Sister Duffy will always be remembered by players of his generation.

"From my point of view we will all remember Sister Duffy. She was always at the Providence whatever time of day or night and everybody of my age will remember her as a fixture of the hospital. 

"They called a hospital pass a Sister Duffy pass, that's how synonymous she was with players of my era.

"I remember one time coming back from either Whitehaven or Workington around Christmas time. It was midnight when we got back and my knees were scraped and they said I had better have them cleaned out. 

"Sister Duffy was on duty and she said you are all soft you rugby players. I'll forever remember her for that.

"She'll be sadly missed, she has been a fixture of or town."

She is the second person with Freeman status to die in the space of a month, following Geoff's death in the Isle of Man.

Paying tribute, St Helens Council Leader Barrie Grunewald said: “So many people across the borough have fond memories of Sister Duffy – who achieved almost legendary status at the former Providence Hospital.

“I’m told she always managed to administer just the right amount of sympathy, without making patients feel too sorry for themselves.

“She was made a Freeman of the Borough in 2000 – in recognition of her outstanding service - and everyone at the council is saddened to hear of her passing.”

Last autumn a group of Irish-born nurses, some of whom live locally, reuinted in St Helens to reflect on their time at the 'Provvy', which closed in the 80s despite a huge campaign to save it.

They recalled serving under the tutelage of the "legendary" Sister Duffy, who they remembered for her strictness but very good training.

Tributes have been paid on the St Helens Star Facebook page (see below). Post your comments to the page here or e-mail news@sthelensstar.co.uk

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