A midwife who helped hundreds of Haverhill families to grow has died

A much-loved and respected former midwife and district nurse in Haverhill has died, aged 83.

Ellen Halpin, known to everyone as Nell, worked as a community midwife in the town and surrounding villages for nearly 20 years until her retirement from the NHS in 1991.

With Haverhill experiencing a population boom in the 1970s and 1980s, Sister Halpin became a well-known figure among expectant and new mothers.

Mrs Halpin would often meet mothers who had been in her care while out and about in the town. She was always very pleased when they stopped to chat and tell her how they and their children were doing.

“Nell will not only be greatly missed by her family, but also by her many friends and people in the town who knew her as their midwife or colleague,’ said her daughter Jo.

“It has been overwhelming to see how many people remember her, and the family would like to thank everyone who has shared their warm memories of our mum.”

After leaving the NHS, she continued to work for several years at care homes for the elderly in the town and surrounding villages, before retiring fully in 1996.

A mother of five children herself, who all went to schools in Haverhill, Mrs Halpin was a practising Roman Catholic who attended St Felix Church in the town and was a regular at its coffee mornings and craft club.

She became an avid bridge player after retirement and played two to three times a week at clubs in Withersfield and Linton.

With her husband John, who worked at the former Project office furniture factory and pre-deceased her in 2009, Mrs Halpin moved to Haverhill from Bury St. Edmunds in 1965.

Originally from Co. Limerick, Ireland, she would often tell family members that Haverhill had always been very good to her and that it was her home.

She became ill late last year with a form of blood cancer that required extended stays at West Suffolk Hospital during treatment. Throughout, she never lost her cheerful character and warmth, finally succumbing peacefully at home on April 2.

Mrs Halpin is survived by her children Tony, Elaine, Bridgett, Jo and John, her grandchildren Luke, Connor, Callum and Lara, and step-granddaughter Charlotte.

She will be buried in the town’s cemetery.