Samantha Willis who tragically passed away in hospital on Friday from Coronavirus
The tragic death of the 35-year-old Derry mother came just a few days after she gave birth to her daughter Eviegrace in Altnagelvin Hospital.
But tragically Samanatha never got to hold her newborn baby before passing away from Covid-19.
The healthcare worker, who spent the pandemic helping others, didn’t want to pass on the deadly virus to her new born child.
A family notice reads: “Samantha Willis (nee Curran), 20th August 2021, Peacefully at Altnagelvin Hospital.
“Beloved Wife of Josh and Loving Mother of Shéa, Holly, Lilyanna and Eviegrace.
“Dear Daughter of Mary and Laurence.
“Dear sister of Mark, Danielle, Ryan and Adam.
“Funeral from her home 7 Clonmeen Drive, Strathfoyle on Monday, August 23 at 10:20am to Saint Columbs Church, Chapel road for Requiem Mass at 11 am.
“Interment immediately afterwards in Ballyoan Cemetery.
“Our Lady of Lourdes pray for her.
“Sadly due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic the wake at the family home is strictly private.”
Her husband Josh paid a tearful and heartbreaking tribuet to his wife who he described as his “super queen hero’.
Posting on Facebook on Friday, 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 and Josh Willis on their wedding day
“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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