Pat

When Pat Graham retired from her role as Chief Executive Officer of Copeland Borough Council, through ill health, I wrote the following:

It’s a sad day knowing that Pat Graham’s time at Copeland Council has come to an end. I’ve known Pat for her whole career in West Cumbria (well not her time working in the Griffin in Frizington in her youth, but you get the point).

She’s been a colleague, an inspiration and a mentor. I consider her a great friend and she’s been a rock during some really tough times.

She’s one of the few people who has been able to deliver honest and challenging feedback to me in a way that’s helped me grow. I’m incredibly grateful for that – even if I didn’t know it at the time.

I am also proud of her commitment to West Cumbria and especially Copeland. This was blindingly obvious in every role she undertook and every project she led. The tributes in this article are absolutely genuine. Councillors, leaders and officers alike love and respect her.

Sending you and your family my warmest wishes Pat.

It’s sad to think that this was only 9 months ago, and Pat’s time with us has now been cut cruelly short.

When I reflect on the Pat I knew, the above is still an accurate summary.

She was a giant for West Cumbria and was passionate about getting the very best for the area where she was born. Like others, she felt we’d be sold short in the past. But more importantly, she thought that we needed to be positive, proactive and dynamic in seeking out the opportunities to improve things. We could be in charge of our destiny.

The first time I met Pat was in 2008. She was touring the Copeland Centre as part of her interview for the role of Head of Development Operations. She was heavily pregnant. It sums up Pat perfectly to know that she didn’t see her pregnancy as any barrier to being able to deliver. Nor did the interview panel, and she joined in the autumn.

It was the first of a number of senior roles, which ultimately led to her ascent to the position of Chief Executive Officer under the recently introduced directly elected mayor model. I am convinced she’d have been part of the leadership of Cumberland Council, had she been well enough. It’s both Copeland and Cumberland’s loss that this wasn’t possible.

Throughout her time, Pat was true to what she believed. She was always unflinchingly honest, and could give challenging feedback to anyone in a way that they were able to take this on board positively. She told me when she thought I’d blogged enough about the death of Tilly, suggesting (rightly), that it was time to consider sharing other thoughts. Not many people could have told me that.

Charlotte, Teddy and I recently visited Pat and her husband Kevin at home in Barnard Castle. I am glad we are able to do so. It was great to see Pat in such good spirits, despite being unwell. She was as chatty, witty and intelligent as always. Her grasp on West Cumbrian affairs was just as strong. She devoured the chocolate eclair I’d brought her, and it was a joy to see how she interacted with Teddy.

We had hoped to visit Pat again this summer, but sadly it wasn’t to be.

I’ll end by saying that the tributes that have been pouring in for Pat since the news of her death broke are a demonstration of her popularity. This isn’t always the case for council leaders who have to take tough decisions and require a thicker skin than most.

My thoughts remain with Kevin, Isaac, Indy and Romy; as well as her mum, brother and family here in West Cumbria.

Rest in peace Pat.