‘Jessica didn’t suffer’

‘In her short life we loved our baby with all our hearts’

A DUNDEE couple have paid tribute to their baby daughter who has died aged just eight months.

Andrew and Jaclyn Suttie’s twin daughters Georgia and Jessica were born in Ninewells Hospital on Hogmanay and remained in the neonatal unit for several weeks.

Jessica was diagnosed with Zellweger spectrum disorder, a rare, life-shortening condition, with symptoms including neurological delay, poor feeding, and problems in organs.

She died peacefully on Friday at Rachel House, a hospice and respite centre for children with life-shortening conditions and their families. The Kinross centre is run by the charity Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (Chas).

Speaking from the family home in Broughty Ferry today, Andrew, 33, a physiotherapist, said: “We had been at Rachel House since last Tuesday and had planned to come home on Saturday but Jessica died on Friday night.

“Although we knew she would have a short life, it was still quite sudden and unexpected. She hadn’t really been deteriorating that much, health-wise.”

Jaclyn, 31, a solicitor, said: “Since Jessica was diagnosed we have been preparing for the worst. When we were told she would have a short life expectancy, we started to grieve then. I think, in some ways, it has made it easier.

“I was holding Jessica and she decided that was it and slipped away.

“She had been taking longer to settle and I had a feeling she wasn’t right that day. She would usually be put to bed by the staff but I decided to go down and be with her as I had a feeling something wasn’t right. And I’m so glad I did.

“We know we couldn’t have saved her — there’s nothing more we could have done. In her short life we loved her with all our hearts. We don’t want to be sad, we want to remember Jessica happily. And we are glad she didn’t suffer.

“Georgia knew she had a sister and she’s definitely aware she’s not around any more. But we will have plenty of stories to tell her about Jessica’s short life as she grows up.”

Jessica’s funeral is at Dundee Crematorium on Monday at 9.30am, to which all friends are invited. The family have asked for no flowers but donations to be made to Chas.

The Sutties have already raised more than £18,000 for the charity. Donations can be made at justgiving.com/fundraising/whw-chas.

Jessica Suttie, who had Zellweger spectrum disorder, died on Friday.

Jaclyn and Andrew with the twins.