Scots women tells of heartbreak after mum and two sisters die of Covid-19 within 11 days of each other
A MUM and her two daughters were killed by coronavirus – within 11 heartbreaking days.
Betty MacDonald, 91, was grieving the loss of grown-up children Roberta Hunter, 58, and Jessie McCormick, 69, when she also lost her life to the virus.
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Her other girl, Liz MacDonald-Smith, 50, told how the family has been left shattered by the triple tragedy.
Describing their anguish, charity worker Liz said: “It’s been totally devastating, like we’re stuck on a rollercoaster we can’t get off. Roberta died and while we were preparing her funeral Jessie died. As we were organising hers, Mum passed away.
“Everybody is getting on with their lives – but time is standing still for us.”
Gran Roberta was the first member of the family, from Bargeddie, Lanarkshire, to die – just two weeks after receiving her initial Covid vaccine.
She had told relatives she was tired and had “sore bones”.
But her condition worsened before ex-cook Betty found her slumped helpless on the couch.
An ambulance raced Roberta to Monklands Hospital in Airdrie where, despite efforts to save her, she died on March 11.
On the day she passed away, her sibling – retired Asda worker Jessie – tested positive for Covid in hospital.
The grandmother had been due to have a cataract operation at Clydebank’s Golden Jubilee National Hospital when she fell in a ward toilet, injuring her face and breaking five ribs.
She was transferred to the city’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where she at first tested negative for the virus.
A further swab then revealed she had the bug and she died five days later on March 16.
Distraught relatives then lost retired cook Betty, who had 54 grandchildren across several generations, on March 22.
Frantic Liz dialled 999 after finding her mum struggling to breathe and an ambulance whisked her to Monklands Hospital, where she initially rallied.
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But the great-great-gran passed away hours after chatting to nurses about her family.
Pals have united to help pay for all three funerals.
Pleading for vigilance, Liz said: “People need to realise that Covid has not gone away. Our family is proof of that.
“We need to stick together. I don’t want anybody to have to go through what we have. It’s hell on earth.
“Please follow the rules and keep your family safe.”
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Health chiefs extended their sympathies to grieving relatives, who believe Jessie caught Covid in hospital.
An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesman said: “Our thoughts go out to Jessie’s family at this difficult time.
“Across our hospital sites we have protocols in place to help minimise Covid-19 transmission.”
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