Tribute to gran who died on Tenerife hol
Martin and Tress Tress was remembered Two dozen lanterns were lit up Tress with Louise ‘Tress had a heart of gold. I miss her dearly ’
The family of a tragic Wishaw gran whose body lay in a hospital morgue in Tenerife for nearly a month are facing further heartache after red tape delayed her funeral for a further two weeks.
Legal wranglings and Spanish documentation regarding the death of Tress Winning, 54, who died after travelling to Spain with no insurance, means that her family cannot say their final goodbyes at St Patrick’s Church in Craigneuk and Cambusnethan Cemetry for another fortnight.
Gran of 15 Tress is resting at G McAllister’s funeral home in Shotts.
Tress’s body finally touched down at Glasgow Airport at 8pm last Tuesday, when her family and friends sent lanterns drifting into the night sky to mark her long-awaited return home.
Relatives of Tress, of Cala Sona Court, Netherton, had launched a frantic crowdfunding campaign to fly her home and lay her to rest.
The return of her body was the end of a painful 27-day wait for heartbroken Louise, 34, her four sisters and Tress’s partner of 14 years, Martin Faulkner.
A crowdfunding page, coupled with donations from family and friends, raised around £ 6000 towards the estimated £ 9000 cost of flying Tress home and meeting Spanish medical bills.
Announcing on Facebook that their agonising ordeal was over, mum-of- five Louise invited well-wishers to attend the poignant lantern release at 8pm on Tuesday to signal her precious mum’s return to home soil.
“That’s when my mum will arrive in Glasgow Airport and she will be home to be with her family and friends, the place she grew up and belongs,” she wrote.
“This is where the hardest part of my life begins: saying goodbye to not only my mother, but my best friend - a woman that would move mountains for us all.
“Hope to see as many people turn up to show respect and also for the family to show how much we appreciated all of your help and kind wishes and prayers.”
Tress had not taken out travel insurance prior to the trip because her underlying health condition meant the premium was too expensive.
Previously 55- year- old Martin had spoken of his heartache when a desperately ill Tress was told by an airline crew that she was not fit to fly home for treatment.
He had begged airline cabin staff in vain to allow her “to be home to be saved.”
Hours later, she was back in a Tenerife hospital, had suffered a massive heart attack and was declared brain dead.
Her distraught daughters at home in Wishaw had to make the heartbreaking decision to give Spanish doctors permission to switch off her life support.
Expressing her gratitude to the people of Wishaw and beyond for their support, Louise said: “Thanks to each and everyone who donated to bring my wee mum home. Can’t thank you enough.
“I am overwhelmed with all your kindness.
The family are grateful for all you have done.”
Tress’s partner, Martin, added: “She had a heart of gold. I miss her dearly.”