‘If you have a sore chest, it could be pneumonia. One minute my sister was here ... and now she is no longer with us.’
Family’s campaign after tragic death of Diane (37)
A heartbroken Perth family wants to make people more aware of the seriousness of pneumonia - after a young mother-ofone lost her life to the disease.
Diane Clephane (37) from Tulloch was diagnosed with pneumonia after she realised she had a sore chest. She passed away just four days later. Her family now wants to make sure people know the signs of pneumonia and to take it seriously, as the disease took hold of Diane quickly.
Diane, whose funeral took place on Wednesday at Perth Crematorium, had previously battled with the condition over Christmas in 2016.
The former Perth Grammar School pupil passed away on April 1.
Sister Stacy Clephane said: “If you have a sore chest it
could be pneumonia, and you need to treat it seriously because one minute my sister was here and now she is no longer with us.
“She went to the doctors on the Wednesday and was moved straight to Perth Royal Infirmary. On Friday, she was allowed to go home with antibiotics, but she was gone by the Sunday. It was completely unexpected.
“Always get things checked out by the doctor, because it is not always a little cold. Don’t take any day for granted, and when the doctor tells you to rest, they mean it. You don’t ever think something like that could leave you fighting for your life.”
Mum Maureen Clephane said Diane, who worked at Charlie Taylor’s hairdressers in the city centre, had so much to live for, especially her daughter Sophie Bruce (15). Maureen said: “She had just got a new house, she only got the keys in January, and now the house is empty. It just seems like yesterday we were flitting her to her new house, she was so happy.
“Sophie has her up and down days, but she is a brave wee soul. She was brave when her mum got pneumonia before.
“But she is not here now, but at least she is not suffering - she will feel no more pain.”
Stacy added: “Sophie has her mum’s strength, that will get her through it.
“Diane liked going to concerts and gin festivals, and watching old movies with her daughter and nieces, and spending time with the family.
“She liked spoiling all of us, she was a real family person. She had time for everyone and was so outgoing. The two of us went to Rewind once, and she had a ball - she liked all different kinds of music.”
Diane also suffered from type one diabetes, and the family also want people to be aware of that condition as well.
Stacy said: “She was 14 when she got her diabetes and any teenager would find that hard. But five years ago she really started to look after it, because it can cause so many other health problems.
“She knew straight away something was wrong, because her blood sugar levels were affected.”
Dad Sandy wanted to thank everyone who had supported the family since Diane’s death, saying: “The family are so grateful for all the support. We are glad she is at peace now.”