The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Colourful send-off for tragic mum Lydia
Grandparents’ heartache as Mason, 3, still asks for his mummy
Mourners will wear bright colours when they say goodbye to tragic mother Lydia MacDonald at Perth Crematorium tomorrow.
The 28-year-old was found dead at her flat alongside her three-year-old son Mason, who had survived on his own in the property for at least two days.
Grandfather Ron MacDonald said the youngster is recovering well at the home he shares with Lydia’s mother, Linda, in Scone.
He said Mason has been told his mother is now a star in heaven.
“He still asks for his mum now and again and that is really heartbreaking for us,” he added.
It was confirmed last night that Lydia died from a severe asthma attack.
Dundee-born Lydia, who went to Meigle Primary and Blairgowrie High School, had suffered from asthma since the age of two and her family has called for ambulance three times in the past due to her attacks.
A young woman who died suddenly at her Perth flat leaving her young son to fend for himself for two days suffered a devastating asthma attack, her family confirmed yesterday.
Police launched an investigation after 28-year-old Lydia MacDonald was found dead at her home in the city’s Lickley Court. Her three-year-old son Mason was trapped inside the property.
Neighbours said they heard him call through the letterbox: “Please help me wake up my mummy.”
Tomorrow friends and family will gather at Perth Crematorium to say goodbye to Lydia. Mourners have been encouraged to wear bright colours, while donations will be given to the charity Asthma UK.
Yesterday Lydia’s father Ron said Mason was recovering well at the home he shares with Lydia’s mum Linda on the edge of Scone.
“He was in hospital for a couple of days and now we are caring for him,” he said. “He’s actually doing really well.
“He was told his mother had died. The advice we were given was that we should use the word ‘died’ to make it clear to him what has happened.
“We’re not really sure he totally understands but we’ve told him that his mother is in heaven and she’s a star now.
“He still asks for his mum now and again and that is really heartbreaking for us.”
Mr MacDonald said that Lydia’s death certificate stated she had died as a result of an asthma attack.
She had suffered from asthma since she was two. In recent years her family have had to call for an ambulance three times after she suffered serious attacks.
Mr MacDonald said his daughter had hoped to return to work as a hairdresser in August when Mason was due to go to nursery full-time.
Friends said Lydia threw a party at her first-floor flat on Saturday June 7 and she was said to be upbeat and in good spirits. But they became concerned when they couldn’t reach her by phone days later.