Former MHK David Cretney has paid a heartfelt tribute to retired teacher, author and member of the Manx Labour Party, Patricia Skillicorn.

The Tynwald veteran said it was ’with much regret’ that he had heard of Ms Skillicorn’s death following an illness and he praised her ’kind, caring nature and warm personality’.

Ms Skillicorn’s funeral takes place at midday next Tuesday at Malew Church.

Mr Cretney said that she, like her late father Fred, ’was a long term and much valued member of the Manx Labour Party. In fact she was the only member who has been a constant since I first joined’.

Mr Cretney added: ’Pat was a passionate social historian and amongst her academic work in this area was a detailed account of our movement on the Isle of Man going back more than 100 years.’

The former government minister said she was born in Douglas and brought up in Ballasalla with her mother, father and younger sister and although money was in short supply she remembered with fondness time spent in the beautiful countryside.

Mr Cretney said: ’My late uncle Sir Godfrey Cretney was the first head teacher of the new Castle Rushen High School where he promoted the value of comprehensive education and Pat recalled being part of the fortunate generation who could take advantage of these new opportunities.

’Pat was to follow a career in education after obtaining a degree in history and a postgraduate teaching certificate. She began teaching in the Wirral but was soon drawn back to teach at the newly opened Queen Elizabeth II High School.

’Later Pat was to become an accomplished author with her heartfelt and evocative works. These include "Wave to your Daddy", "Hammer of Thor" and "Fox gloves". ’Dedicated to all things Manx, particularly from a historic context, Pat was a long time member of the Celtic Congress Manx branch, the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society and a number of other organisations in her home in Peel.’

Mr Cretney who was also a member of the Legislative Committee before bowing out earlier this year, continued: ’Her kind, caring nature and warm personality will mean many people will have happy memories of Pat which hopefully will bring some comfort to her immediate family at this sad time.’

He concluded his tribute with this message: ’Thank you for being such a good friend and loyal supporter of social justice Pat, we will miss you.’