Care worker who went viral with dance video among home deaths
A care worker who went viral in footage of her dancing with a 102-year-old a few weeks ago was found dead at home amid fears she may have had coronavirus.
Jeanette Mckenna, 53, had worked at the same care home for ten years and was described as “popular” and “selfless” by her colleagues. Ms Mckenna became an internet sensation when a Tiktok video of her dancing with 102-year-old care home resident Percy Mann went viral.
She had worked at Whitecraigs care home, in Thornliebank, Barrhead, for ten years. She was found dead at home on 7 May after police were alerted.
The housing association property was deep cleaned on Wednesday and neighbours were told to seek medical help in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Neighbour James Armstrong, 71, said: “She was lovely. We spoke to each other all the time. It’s sad to lose her.”
A spokesman for Whitecraigs care home said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened at this tragic news.
“Jeanette was a hugely popular carer, colleague and friend for the past ten years.
“She was absolutely selfless and gave love and support to all residents and families within her care.
“She will be greatly missed by everyone at Whitecraigs.
“Our heartfelt condolences are with her family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time.”
Shirley Robison, BHA chief executive, said: “The situation at this address is absolutely tragic and we would always encourage all our tenants and residents to seek medical help if unwell.
“Phoning NHS 111 is recommended by the Scottish Government and NHS services since the coronavirus started.
“We would like to offer our condolences to the family.
“We will follow all health and safety guidance to deal with the property clearance and to reassure neighbouring residents that this will be a coordinated approach using a range of contractors, including our close cleaning contractor.”
A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “Officers attended at an address in George Street at around 7:20pm on Thursday following a call from a member of the public.
“On arrival, officers found the body of a 53-year-old woman within the property.
“Thedeathisbeingtreatedas unexplained but there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.
“A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
Meanwhile a widow who lost her dementia-stricken husband to coronavirus said his final wish to donate his brain to science could not be fulfilled because of the illness.
Jim Powell, 74, was diagnosed with Covid-19 on 21 April after contracting the virus in the care home where he lived, and died a week later.
The pensioner, who had Alzheimer’s disease, had hoped to donate his brain to science and five years ago agreed with his wife, Sally, 73, that it would happen.
But due to the pandemic, the couple’s hopes were dashed and Mr Powell is to be laid to rest today with a small funeral.
Mrs Powell praised the carers who looked after her husband when he became ill with coronavirus, and said she was comforted by the fact he died surroundedbypeopleheknew at the Caledonia Care Home in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire.
She was able to spend time with him as he passed away, dressed in full personal protective equipment [PPE], along with her daughter Johan Uppall, 49.
She said: “When the lockdown came into force the care home phoned all the families asking what they would like to happen should their relatives test positive.
“One of the options was hospital treatment, but given that Jim had Alzheimer’s and couldn’t speak and had lost most of his sight, I didn’t think that was the best place.
“He needed to be with people who knew him.”
The couple, who were married for 23 years, made the decision that Mr Powell’s brain would be donated to science in 2015.
Mrs Powell had hoped that could still go ahead after his death but was told it no longer could, and believes many grieving families will be in the same position.
But she was grateful to be able to spend time with her partner of 30 years in his final moments.
Mrs Powell, from Irvine, North Ayrshire, said: “I thought that was absolutely amazing, I was very lucky.
“He took a stroke on April 26 and they phoned as soon as it happened and said ‘would you like to come in and say your goodbyes’.
“They were run off their feet in full PPE, and I was exhausted just wearing it and sitting down. They were so caring, and it means an awful lot to know he was so cared for.
“It was so important to me that I saw him calm and he wasn’t in pain.
“Jim was set on leaving his body to science but I said ‘the abuse you’ve given it, I don’t think they’d want it’.
“When he was diagnosed, one of the things they said was ‘you can donate the brain’ and I said to Jim ‘what about doing that?’ and he agreed.
“I reassured him his wishes would be carried out.”
Mr Powell, originally from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, near Newcastle was diagnosed 11 years ago and for much of that time, Mrs Powell cared for him at home.
When she found out that the Covid-19 test came back positive and that Mr Powell’s last wish could no longer happen, Mrs Powell was devastated.
She said: “They came back and said they’re not taking anything, the whole research is blocked because of Covid. I felt I’d let him down, it was like the last straw.”
“She was lovely. We spoke to each other all the time. It’s sad to lose her”
JAMES ARMSTRONG