After training in Dublin, Mum moved to Manchester in her early twenties along with her cousins, Martha and Lena, to pursue a career in nursing. She started in Hope Hospital in Salford, before finally moving to Leeds to work at St James's Hospital. She spent her whole life working as a nurse for the NHS, and went on to work at the Leeds General Infirmary, Ida Hospital and Chapel Allerton Hospital. She made many friends throughout her career.