Family says farewell to much-loved mum Joan

THIS heartrending photograph of a dying woman, surrounded by family in face masks and gowns, reveals the human tragedy of coronavirus.

Joan Wright, 75, pleaded with her daughter Deborah Buchanan, 38, to take the stark picture as she lay in her hospital bed hooked up to a ventilator.

The dying woman’s family, including her husband Charles, 80, who is also battling Covid-19, donned PPE to spend a few more precious moments with her.

Just hours later, Joan died. Deborah said her father now fears going to sleep “in case he doesn’t wake up”.

She said she shared the image to warn others of the virus’ real threat.

She added: “We went into the hospital today with two parents and came out with one and a plastic bag of belongings we can’t even touch.” Mrs Wright died at Furness General Hospital in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, last Wednesday.

Visited

The couple caught the illness despite not leaving home for weeks. They were however visited by nurses and care workers.

The pair had been together for more than 50 years “without a day apart” when Joan fell gravely ill, their daughter said.

Deborah, from Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, had just hours to get to the hospital to say her final goodbye.

She wrote on Facebook: “We had to watch her gasp her last breaths and slip away in agony.

“The last thing I said to her was that she was doing really well, to stay strong and not be afraid. I told her how much I loved her and how brilliant she was.

“My dad says this is the worst he has ever felt in his life, he fears going to sleep in case he doesn’t wake up.

“My dad is still not out of the woods yet, his heart is broken.”

She added: “This is the reality of coronavirus. Wake up and wise up.

“Stay away from those you love, and protect yourselves and them. We were lucky we got to be with her when she passed away.

“Many families aren’t – people are dying alone and it’s not right.”