TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-loved nurse who dedicated her life to helping heart patients and transforming cardiac services in Bolton.

Anne Kaneen died, aged 76, on January 16 in hospital surrounded by her family, including her husband Robert, after a long period of ill health.

The great grandmother-of-two followed her dream of becoming a nurse when she started training in 1956 at Royal Bolton Hospital — then called Townley’s — before becoming a sister.

She spent many years of her life campaigning for better cardiac aftercare and became the town’s first support sister running the hospital’s new Cardiac Support Unit, as well as working in the community with heart patients and their families.

She also set up Bolton Cardiac Support Group — which celebrates its 25th anniversary this month — to extend specialist care for people who had suffered a heart attack.

Husband Mr Kaneen said: “Anne was made for that job — and that job was made for her.

"It was kind of by accident that she got into cardiac care but she took to it like a duck to water.

“She always had this thing in her head that there should be more after-care for people who had suffered heart attacks.

"When she became cardiac support sister she flung herself into the role and she loved every minute of it. I am so proud of her.”

Mrs Kaneen received an MBE in 1993 in recognition of her efforts on behalf of coronary patients and their families, and was crowned Bolton Woman of the Year in 2002.

Following a battle with breast cancer, she retired in 1999.

Despite this, she continued her work with the support group and became chairman.

Mr Kaneen, aged 77, of Glentrool Mews, Heaton, added: "She had not been well for a good number of years really. But she carried on as much as she could.

“Both the unit and the support group are both still going today. People have heart attacks all the time and it’s comforting to know that her hard work will continue to help them for years to come.”

David Houghton, chairman of Bolton Cardiac Support Group, said: “She was an amazing person. Her loss will be felt not only by her family but also cardiac patients and their carers in Bolton and the surrounding areas.”

Mrs Kaneen’s former co-worker Tracey Garde, a matron at Royal Bolton Hospital, added: “She was very committed to her patients and inspired me for my career. I took over from her when she left, so I literally followed in her footsteps.

“She was my role model and even became godmother to one of my daughters. She was an inspiration and will be sadly missed.”