Family, friends and colleagues were this week mourning the death of a popular and much-loved nurse.

Sister Josephine Ross (nee Bevan) died in Nevill Hall Hospital on February 9 after a short illness.

Josie Ross came from Ebbw Vale and grew up in a family of six sisters. She was educated at the then Ebbw Vale Grammar School. She excelled in swimming, competing for Wales. On leaving school she underwent nurse training in Merthyr Tydfil, working as a staff nurse at Prince Charles Hospital after qualification. She came to work at Nevill Hall Hospital in 1981, becoming a sister on an acute medical ward. In Abergavenny she became a familiar figure to those out early, as she was often to be seen walking her dogs beside the Usk in the mornings.

In 1989 her career took a new turn when she became only the second diabetes specialist nurse to be appointed in North Gwent. From then on she devoted her energies to improving the lives of those with diabetes, initially caring for diabetic children as well as adults.

After the merger with the Royal Gwent Hospital and Caerphilly, she was the obvious choice to lead the diabetes nursing service, now expanded to 10 nurses, for the then Gwent Healthcare Trust (now Aneurin Bevan University Health Board).

Her selfless dedication, patience and experience were appreciated by patients and colleagues alike.

In 2008 she received the Community Health Council's first Tudgay award for her outstanding contribution to the care and support of diabetic patients across the whole of Gwent.

"I love the variety of my job, the number of people I work with and the age range of my patients," she once said. "I often meet them as very young children and then develop a lifelong relationship. I think in nursing your job has to be your life. Any nurse would say the same."

Her personal life was clouded by the sudden death of her partner, Andrew, over three years ago but she eventually bounced back and resumed her role with unchanged vigour.

"Josie was totally committed," said her diabetes consultant colleague, Professor John Saunders. "Nothing was too much for her - she was one of the most outstanding nurses I have ever worked with. She demonstrated practical compassion with much wisdom."

Her colleague Sister Karen Fulton added, "We have lost a hugely valued colleague and friend. She taught us all so much and already we miss her terribly."

Josie is survived by her mother and five sisters. Her funeral will take place at St Michael's Catholic Church in Abergavenny on February 24 at 10.30am.