Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Guardian angel
Mum killed by bomber as her girl survived
A MOTHER killed in the Manchester Arena terrorist bombing became a “guardian angel” to her daughter who survived the blast, her husband told the public inquiry yesterday.
Grieving Tony Kiss said wife Michelle, 45, was “just being a mum” as she waited to collect their youngest child.
“I like to believe that in their last moments together our daughter brought some comfort to her mum,” he went on.
“And I also like to think of her, at the moment of their parting, as her mum’s little guardian angel – because I know Michelle became her guardian angel in that same moment.”
Mother-of-three Michelle was one of 22 people killed by suicide bomber Salman
Abedi at the end of a concert by pop star Ariana
Grande in May 2017.
Mr Kiss, who does not wish his daughter to be named, told the inquiry: “She visited the arena many times with our children for concerts and events.
“How sad to think that a place that brought so much joy to my family would be the place to take away that joy for ever.
“The bomb didn’t just destroy 22 people’s lives. It changed the lives of every family member who lost a loved one.”
Mr Kiss, from Whalley,
Lancs, said Michelle had been “my girlfriend, my childhood sweetheart, my wife, my friend, my soulmate.
“So I’m now mum and dad and doing my best but I worry that it can’t ever be good enough. How could it ever be good enough for my children without their mum, without Michelle, how can it be?”
He added: “A day doesn’t pass by when I don’t think of my beautiful Michelle. I miss everything about her and this is my biggest loss. I wish I could have grown old with my Michelle. I’ve lost that wish.” The inquiry also heard a family tribute to victim Nell Jones, 14, of Goostrey, Cheshire. Her eldest brother Sam said his sister was special “from the moment she was born” and grew up “surrounded by love”.
He said she hated any form of unkindness and added: “If you were a friend of Nell’s you were in good hands.” At school she “soaked up anything she was taught like a sponge”, excelling at English and maths and being placed on a “gifted and talented” register.
“The thought of the years ahead without her in our lives i s tr uly unbearable,” added Sam.
“I have no words to describe the pain and grief we feel each day.”
The family of police officer Elaine Mciver, 43 – off duty the night she also died in the explosion – presented a series of photographs to “show her character and lust for life”.
Sister Lynda said Elaine, of Frodsham, Cheshire, “was a joy to be around and would hate to be remembered as a victim”. The hearing continues.
VICTIM
Nell Jones, 14
VICTIM Elaine Mciver, 43
My girlfriend, my childhood sweetheart, my wife, my friend, my soulmate TONY KISS IN TRIBUTE TO WIFE MICHELLE, KILLED IN BOMBING
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