Staff and students from the Department of Health and The Berkeley Institute united to pay tribute to nurse Rachael Andrade, who died a year ago this week after losing her battle with cancer.

A memorial service was held at the Berkeley Institute on Tuesday where a Bermuda Cedar tree was planted in her honour, along with the installation of a commemorative plaque.

Ms Andrade became the education officer at The Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre in 2001 where she worked for several years before becoming a school nurse with the Department of Health.

At the Department of Health she worked in the Victoria Street Clinic part of the week and also part-time at various schools, primarily at the Berkeley Institute where she was the school nurse.

Among those present was Rachael’s husband, David Andrade, who thanked organisers for the special tribute.

“Rachael would have been so humbled by this service today and so am I,” he said. “She was extremely passionate about health and education … and working here at Berkeley was the perfect fit for her — the best case scenario.

“It is encouraging to know that she touched so many lives and inspired at least one young person to get into the nursing profession — a field which is lacking in Bermudians.”