Family grief as mum of five dies suddenly after 53rd birthday
AN “amazing” mum died suddenly from cancer just days after a family holiday to celebrate her birthday.
Mum-of-five Lissa King had celebrated her 53rd birthday surrounded by 13 members of her family in Looe, Cornwall, but she took a turn for the worse and died on her way to A&E at Burton’s Queen’s Hospital.
Her heartbroken daughter Georgia Knopik has now paid tribute to her mum as the family desperately appeals for help so they can get Lissa’s son, Joshua, back from Australia in time for the funeral.
Georgia, 23, said: “She was my best friend and I can’t put into words how much she means to me. It’s been a whirlwind. Losing my mum is the worst thing ever. It’s not been easy. I’ve got to be there for my older brothers. It’s hard to think I will not have my mum there to answer my questions. People have said they can see my mum in me.
“We are so thankful to everyone. I just wish she was alive to see how many people loved her and have paid their respects to one of the most amazing people in the entire world.
“It is sad she passed away not knowing how appreciated she was.”
Miss King, of Winshill and a supervisor at New Look in Coopers Square shopping centre, Burton, was diagnosed with breast cancer two-anda-half months ago. Two weeks later she found out it had spread to her liver and that it was terminal.
When she took a turn for the worse, Georgia took her to hospital with her partner Oliver Ward and brother Callum and as she was being pushed into A&E in a wheelchair she died. The family was told that complications from her illness caused an infection to starve her of oxygen and she suffered a heart attack.
Lissa’s mother also died from breast cancer when Lissa was 15 and two of her sisters have also been given the same diagnosis.
The family has now set up a GoFundMe page to raise the money to get Joshua home to be with his family.
He moved to Australia 10 years ago but because of Covid, only a few people are being allowed in and out of the country. He does not have the money for the flights and, even if he does make it here, he will face a further struggle to return home.
He needs to raise $8,000 (£4,265) for the flights and then a further $3,000 (£1,599) to pay to isolate in a hotel when he gets back to Australia. Joshua is currently in the process of getting the exemption form needed to allow him to leave the country. Any money left over from the fund-raising page will go towards the cost of the funeral. Georgia said: “It’s heartbreaking. It’s a horrendous decision as he wants to be able to come and say goodbye to his mum but he may not be able to return to his partner after for six months.
“The situation is inhumane for my brother. He’s already had to find out over the phone that his mum has died. All he wants to be able to do is say goodbye.
“We are pushing for the latest date possible for the funeral to give him time to get over.”
To help get Mr Knopik home for his mother’s funeral, visit w w w . gofundme.m/ f/4rcf9v-help- keepmy-family-together.
We are so thankful to everyone. I just wish she was alive to see how many people loved her. Georgia Knopik