Samantha and Josh Willis on their wedding day
Care worker Samantha Willis (35), from Derry, passed away with the virus in hospital on Friday after delivering a baby girl.
Her devastated husband Josh Willis posted a heart-rending tribute to his love on Facebook, describing how she struggled with the illness before dying with her family at her side in the Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry.
Samantha never even got to even hold her newborn baby before passing away from Covid-19.
The healthcare worker, who spent the pandemic helping others, gave birth to her baby just days before she died from the virus.
But Samantha wasn’t able to hold little Eviegrace in case she passed it on to her newborn daughter.
Josh said Samantha (35), who was pregnant at the time of contracting Coronavirus, said his brave wife put up a “strong fight” for 16 days before finally succumbing to the cruel illness.
Little Eviegrace is at home with her family and doing well according to dad, and he has vowed to make sure she knows all about her hero mum.
He said Samantha passed away “peacefully” on Friday in Altnagelvin Hospital in the Intensive Care Unit.
Posting on Facebook on Friday night, Josh said: “I never thought I would be writing something like this for years to come, if ever.
“Today has been the worst day of my life. I have lost the love of my life Samantha to Covid-19.
“Samantha had put up a strong fight for the last 16 days but in the end just wasn’t enough.
Samantha Willis who tragically passed away in hospital on Friday
“Myself, her mother and two eldest children were by her side. She was in no pain and was comfortable when she slipped away.
“Whilst in hospital she also had to deliver our newest addition to the family, who she has never met properly or held in her arms.
“I will make sure that Eviegrace will know all about the mother she will never meet.
“I will never let anyone forget you and I will remember all the special times and experiences we shared together.
“The children including Holly and Shéa are now my main priority.”
Josh said Samantha will now be the family’s “Guardian Angel”.
“All I want to do now is make Samantha proud. I’m sure she’s already looking down and proud of how we are coping,” he added.
“We are also proud of her, she was a wonderful, loving and caring person and she has been our superhero the last few weeks.
“She is now our guardian angel and she will remain in our hearts and thoughts for ever more.
“We love you loads and miss you. We wish we could only have helped you get home to live the rest of your life with us.
“I will never stop loving you and we will do our best to make you proud until we see you again. Sleep tight my Queen. Love you.”
Mum Samantha Willis, pictured with husband Josh and one of their older children, didn’t meet her newborn baby for fear of passing on the virus
He said: “Thanks to all the staff at Altnagelvin Hospital who met Samantha on her journey.
“You are all truly wonderful people and I will never forget what you have done for Samantha and our family.”
A close friend of Samantha also took to social media to pay a tribute to her, describing her as the “kindest” she had ever met in her life.
Rosemarie Kemish said: “This girl is the most beautiful, kindest, loving, selfless person I have ever met in my life.
“I don’t know how I’m gonna function without her. That person u could say anything to & she would never judge u or see u any different. My heart is broken & I’ll never ever forget the amazing person she was.
“Not only was she an amazing friend to me but a loving wife to Josh Willis & an ever better mother to her children.
“There’s gonna b a massive hole in my life & I just hope she gives me the strength to say goodbye. She didn’t deserve this at all but now we will all have a beautiful angel looking over us.
“My bestest friend sleep tight Angel.”
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