Heartbroken colleagues of a nurse who tragically died with coronavirus paid an emotional tribute to her on the day of her funeral.
Josephine Peter died last week after falling ill with the COVID-19 virus, sparking hundreds of tributes from her family, friends and those she knew from working at Southport Hospital.
The 55-year-old mum-of-two had looked after patients at the Merseyside hospital during her long and dedicated career and was described as "passionate, hard-working and always putting others before herself".
Josephine's funeral took place on Monday and the procession drove past the hospital on Town Lane to the sound of applause from her colleagues.
Doctors, nurses and hospital staff all turned out to line the streets and pay tribute to the beloved nurse.
Sharing a video to their social media accounts, a spokesperson for Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust said: "We said farewell to nurse Jo Peter today.
"Rest in peace Josephine."
The video has been shared hundreds of times with people posting tributes to Josephine and her family underneath.
Lynne Murphy said: "Lovely tribute so sad god bless you and your family at this sad time."
Kirstie Biltcliffe also said: "Such a beautiful and respectful tribute for Josephine and her family."
Sandra Shove added: "So sad. RIP Jo. Thinking of her family, friends & work colleagues today."
Josephine's death was confirmed by the hospital in a statement.
Trish Armstrong-Child, Chief Executive, said: "Josephine, from Hayes, Middlesex, had worked at Southport since February on an agency contract until falling ill in early April.
"She was a nurse for 20 years and was married with two children.
“Josephine’s husband, Thabo, told me she was passionate, hard working, always putting others before herself. She was ‘my heroine’, he said.
“Our thoughts are with Josephine’s family at this difficult time and we offer them our sincere condolences.”
James Lock, Chief Executive of Altrix, the nursing agency that employed Josephine, said: "Josephine was a diligent nurse who was highly regarded and liked by the team.
"She would always go that extra mile and was a pleasure to work with. My team and I send our very best wishes and deepest condolences to Josephine’s family.”
A Go Fund Me page set up in Josephine’s memory has raised almost £12,000.
