Colleagues are remembering Beverley Nicholson, who sadly died in late February after an incredible 44-year career at HRI.

Bev joined the hospital aged just 16 and spent her entire working life serving patients, visitors, and colleagues across catering services. She worked in the laundry, the café, and the shop, adapting her hours around raising her family but always returning, and always giving her all.

Catering Assistant Sharon Rogers worked alongside Bev for more than 20 years and described her as “a true friend and a true colleague”.

“She started here at 16, straight from school, and gave 44 years to this place,” Sharon said. “She never wanted to let anybody down.”

Bev was known for her extraordinary dedication. On snowy mornings, when travel was difficult, she and Sharon would set off at 4.30am and walk for up to three hours to make sure breakfast was ready for colleagues starting their shifts. In more than 60 years of combined service, they never missed a shift due to bad weather.

“We’d set off at half past four in the morning and walk for three hours, just so breakfast was ready,” Sharon said. “We’ve done it for years.”

The pair would walk around 12 miles in difficult conditions, then spend the entire day on their feet.

“You’d walk 12 miles in the snow, then be on your feet all day. We were tired, but we just did it.”

Even after a knee replacement, Bev joked that her new titanium knee might make her quicker on the journey.

“That was her,” Sharon said. “She just got on with it.”

Above all, Sharon remembers her friend’s personality.

“She was cheeky. She could be the life and soul of the party. If somebody said something to her, she’d be straight back with an answer. Customers loved her.”

Bev was devoted to her family and adored her six grandchildren. She supported her children through every stage of their lives and was immensely proud of them.

“She just loved anything to do with her family,” Sharon said. “Family meant everything to her.”

Her loss is being felt deeply across the catering team and beyond.

“She always went above and beyond. She put other people first. She was truly dedicated to the Trust in everything she did.”