SHOCK OVER MUM’S SUDDEN DEATH
Tributes to 46-year-old who suffered brain haemorrhage
TRIBUTES have been paid to a mum of three who collapsed and died from a brain haemorrhage while exercising in her front room.
Joanne Leach, 46, from Morawelon, Holyhead hadn’t long woken up following her second night shift at Caledonia Residential Home when the tragedy happened.
The care home worker, who had never suffered a headache, was working out on her exercise bike in front of the TV following a short nap when she suddenly collapsed.
Her partner of more than 30 years, Justin Beilinsohn, who had just arrived home, managed to resuscitate her before paramedics arrived.
She was airlifted to Glan Clwyd Hospital but died later the same day after doctors were unable to save her. An MRI scan revealed Ms Leach, originally from Salford, had suffered a brain haemorrhage.
Mr Beilinsohn, said the family are “broken” and are in “total shock” following her death. “She had never suffered a headache or anything like that before. There were absolutely no warning signs,” he said.
“We thought she may have had a cardiac arrest, so we thought she may be home the next day.
“But they did a scan of her brain and found a huge haemorrhage.
“They told us they wouldn’t be able to operate and kept her in Glan Clwyd for us to say our goodbyes.
“It was so sudden. Nobody can say why it happened, doctors said anything such as a cough or a sneeze could have triggered it. The children are broken.
“They’re all trying to be brave, just like she would have been. We had so much to look forward to.
“Our whole world has been turned upside down.
“It’s just so unbelievable.”
Paying tribute to Ms Leach, Mr Beilinsohn and their three children, Farrah, 21, Jorgia, 20 and Jensen, 18 described how she “never stopped smiling” and “always put other people first”.
They fondly remembered a time when they walked up Snowdon together as a family and times when she would leave the whole family in laughter all day.
“She was a very outgoing woman, she got along with everyone in Morawelon where we all live,” they said.
“She was very proud of her children, it’s a credit to Joanne how she brought her children up. She never stopped smiling, her smile was infectious.
“Joanne would never pass anyone without smiling or saying hello.
“She would always put other people first, it was her natural instinct to help others before herself.
“Joanne will be so missed by her family, friends and the people in Holyhead and beyond.
“As a family we would like to thank everyone for their amazing support.
“We’re overwhelmed with all the donations and love the community has shown.”
Joanne had previously worked as hairdresser at Hairways in Holyhead before going mobile while also working at MEM factory in Holyhead for several years.
She later became kitchen staff at Ysgol Llanfawr in Holyhead, where she worked for 14 years before becoming a carer for dementia patients at Caledonia Residential Home, Holyhead.
She leaves behind her sister, Michelle Leach and brother-in-law Jimmy Thomas, nephews Asa Thomas, Reggan Thomas, and Lee Leach and nieces Nicole Thomas, Simone Thomas and Naomi Leach.
Her funeral service was at St Cybi’s Church, Holyhead on Monday.
A JustGiving page has been launched to raise funds for Joanne’s family.