Stolen vaccines could’ve been put to better use
We have been reading the recent headlines about the wasted and unused doses of Covid vaccine in Shelby County but for our family the news was particularly painful.
Our cherished relative Mrs. Clara Mae Francis (nee Morgan) seemed to be living safely at Kirby Pines and at the age of 95 we were confident she would stay safe there during the pandemic. We were thrilled with the news that a vaccine would begin to be available to seniors at the beginning of this year. My husband called Clara Mae in January expecting to hear that she had already received at least one dose but she told him she had not. She was unsure what was causing the delay, but most distressingly she told us that she was worried because some people at Kirby Pines continuously refused to wear a mask.
Then we received the news that our Clara Mae had fallen and had been taken to the hospital where she tested positive for Covid. Sadly, after a few weeks in the hospital Clara Mae passed away on Feb. 22. She was the gentlest, kindest, and most generous person I have ever known. When we sent her cards for various holidays over the years she would always send us a card back to thank us for our card.
We will miss seeing her sparkling smile, her white hair, and the way her eyes would change from blue to green according to what she was wearing. She was a beautiful person, inside and out.
Our hearts are breaking from the loss. In the news this week was the story about tens of thousands of doses of vaccine in Shelby County being possibly stolen instead of being distributed.
We can’t help but wonder if Clara Mae would still be with us but for that.
The world has lost a very special person because of someone’s greed or mistake.
Nancy Ditto, Memphis