Tributes have been paid to a critical care nurse at Sunderland Royal Hospital who had a "big smile and kind heart" after her tragic death.
Honey Latonero, an ICCU nurse, spent 20 years working for the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust becoming one of 30 Filipino nurses to mark the milestone last year. As well as her time working on ICCU at Sunderland Royal Hospital, Honey also spent time working on ITU at South Tyneside District Hospital.
Tragically, Honey passed away surrounded by her friends and family in Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary earlier this month leaving loved ones devastated. In a touching tribute issued to colleagues from the Trust, Honey was described as a "dear friend to many" and was known for her compassion and willingness to help anyone in need.
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It read: "It is with great sadness that we inform colleagues of the death of Honey Latonero, one of our ICCU nurses. Honey spent 20 years working for the Trust and was among one of 30 Filipino nurses to mark the milestone in July 2021.
"In addition to her work on ICCU at Sunderland Royal Hospital, Honey also spent time working on ITU at South Tyneside District Hospital. Honey passed away surrounded by her friends and family in the Royal Victoria Infirmary recently.
"She will be remembered as a dear friend to many and was known for her big smile, kind heart, compassion, and willingness to help anyone in need. Honey was a valued member of the STSFT family and will be dearly missed by all who knew her and worked alongside her.
"Honey's family have asked us to share their thanks and appreciation for the messages and support offered by her friends and colleagues."
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to try and raise money to cover the costs of helping take Honey home to she can be laid to rest in the Philippines. So far more than £5,000 has been raised as tributes to Honey flooded in on the page.
If you would like to support the fundraising efforts, you can do so via the Go Fund Me page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-honey-latonero?qid=8c26e21c3a95eee14c6f5521858c28e9
