Sheffield school trust pays tribute to long-serving governor and councillor who died after coronavirus battle

Pat Midgeley had a lifelong passion for improving education and served as a school governor at Wybourn Primary, among others run by the Sheffield South East Trust, for more than 50 years.

Alongside her work with schools, the 82-year-old was also widely known for being a Labour councillor, for which she served 33 years.

She was taken to hospital last week and received oxygen after testing positive for Covid-19, but sadly passed away on Saturday, March 29.

Joanne Bradshaw, CEO of Sheffield South East Trust, said: “Coun Pat Midgely was a long-serving school Governor at Wybourn Primary School and previously also at Manor Lodge Primary School. Wybourn leaders and governors, past and present, will feel her loss acutely, as a colleague, supporter and friend.

“She was passionate about education and also the communities in which she served with such dedication, steely determination and compassion.

“Our community of schools join others across the city in being shocked and saddened by her death. She will be greatly mourned. We are enormously thankful for the way in which she has made a positive difference to generations of children and families in our schools.

“Our thoughts are with her husband and family. We send our condolences to them all. We will find a fitting way to honour Pat when we are able to come together when circumstances change.”

Pat was first elected in 1987 for Nether Edge, which she represented for eight years, before moving to Manor ward.

A former Lord Mayor, she also served as a magistrate and won a Woman of Sheffield award last year hosted by The Star.

Council Leader, Julie Dore, and other councillors in Sheffield have paid tribute to Pat, who had already announced she was not going to re-stand as a councillor in the next local elections.

She leaves a husband Don, brother Tony, children Joanna, Neil and Jamie and grandchildren Harriet, Lucy, Jude, Theo and Madeline.