Please bring her home
She called Louise on Boxing Day and said she had discharged herself from hospital, where she’d received oxygen and antibiotics, and told her she was worried and wanted to return home.
Louise took to social media on learning that her mum was ill to say she was “worried sick about her” and willed her to get better soon.
In Tenerife, the family boarded a flight to Glasgow. But when Tress asked the stewardess for oxygen to help with her breathing, the airline contacted the hospital who said she was not fit to fly and she was asked to disembark.
An anxious Martin called stepdaughter Louise to say Tress had been readmitted to hospital.
But that night, Tress suffered a massive heart attack and doctors suspected she had sustained damage to the brain.
Martin again called Louise to confirm the family’s worst fears: Tress was brain dead and doctors had requested permission from Louise and her four sisters to switch off her life support.
Tress was pronounced dead at 4.45am.
“I just fell apart. My head hasn’t come back down from that phone call,” said Louise, of Gateside Road, Craigneuk, who discovered that her mum had not taken out travel insurance because her medical condition meant that the premiums were too expensive.
The heartbroken family were then faced with the dilemma of how to get Tress home.
They have made calls to funeral directors who have advised that flying Tress to Scotland will cost around £5000.
But the Spanish hospital will not release her body until the medical bill, estimated at £4000, is paid.
Ten days ago, the tormented family decided to set up a gofundme page to which 90 well-wishers have pledged a total of £2,063 – almost £1000 short of its initial target.
Combined with other donations from relatives and friends, the family has so far raised around £4000.
Louise paid a touching tribute to mum Tress, saying: ”She was my saviour, my rock, held me together when I was falling apart every year of my life. She took me and my kids into her home and made sure I was ready to stand alone with my kids.”
Louise said her mum had made her see she had a life of her own and added: “Mum, long may rest your soul. I will be the first to meet you in your ever after. Love you with all my heart.”
Opening her heart to the Wishaw Press, grief-stricken Louise, 33, said: “She was so bubbly, full of life. She loved her social media and was always posting snapchat videos. She was a doting gran and a real supportive, family person. I was dead close to my mum. I stayed with her with my kids for a while and she helped me out with every one of them.”
Tress, a former pupil of Our Lady’s High School, formerly worked as a cleaner at Wishaw General Hospital and lived with Martin at Cala Sona Court in Netherton.
On the gofundmepage, Louise appeals: “Please, please share to help get Tress home where she can get buried where she belongs. Thanks to all you lovely people for your kind donations the family are overwhelmed by your kindness.
“Thank you to each and every one who has donated to bring my mum home. Words cant describe how grateful we are.”
To donate, visit https:// www. gofundme.com/bring-tress-home