Mum of coronavirus-hit nurse, 29, who died alone at home says ‘we couldn’t have wished for a better daughter’
THE mum of a hero nurse who died at home while suffering from coronavirus has paid tribute to the "light of our lives".
Rebecca Mack, 29, is the 14th front-line NHS medic killed by the virus after she tragically died at home on Sunday.
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Her heartbroken mum Marion has said she "couldn't have wished for a better daughter" as she revealed shocking details of her death.
Marion said Rebecca had told her and dad Alan she was "feeling better" at around 6pm on Sunday.
When she failed to reply to a message at 10pm, Marion assumed she had gone to sleep - not knowing her daughter had taken a turn for the worse.
Rebecca had called paramedics and left the front door open - but by the time they arrived, she was already dead.
Marion told : "It's just horrendous. We can't even go to see her to say goodbye.
"She was an absolutely wonderful daughter. We couldn't have wished for a nicer daughter. She was so caring.
"She was just the light of our lives. I can't even begin to imagine life without her.”
Caring Rebecca had worked as a children's nurse at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) before more recently taking a job with NHS 111.
Marion said her daughter had dreamed of being a nurse since she was little, adding: "She was amazing, she had a gift.”
The devastated mum also revealed Rebecca had been "so excited" with plans to buy a house and get a dog.
She is now pleading with everyone to follow Government advice and stay indoors.
She added: "You think you are going to be safe, but I think this virus is a lot more contagious than anyone realised. It's indiscriminate. I don’t want any other parents to go through what we are going through at the moment.
“It is totally mind-blowing the support we have received, I knew she was brilliant but you realise how many people she touched and how much of a difference she made.
“That makes me so proud to know that is our daughter."
Tributes have since poured in for the dedicated child cancer nurse who had her whole life ahead of her.
Sarah Bredin-Kemp, one of Rebecca's best friends, wrote on Facebook: "She was honest, warm and charismatic. She worked hard and made her family proud every single day.
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"She knew her worth and never settled for less, and wouldn't let her friends settle either.
"She was so proud of her work and so happy to have such amazing work friends."
Rebecca's colleague, Jamie Young also took to social media, saying he had been left heartbroken.
He said: "Today, the NHS lost an absolutely amazing and beautiful nurse, myself and my colleagues lost the most tremendous clinician. At the age of just 29, she had her entire life ahead of her."
Rebecca was described by one friend as "just starting her life," adding that she was getting ready to buy her first home.
In a Facebook post, Cheryl Murphy said: “Tonight we light a candle for a kind caring nurse who sadly lost her life to covid-19 just starting her life getting ready to buy her first home always smiling rest in paradise and if anyone can learn something from this please stay at home and stay safe, keep your babies home!”
And many families said Rebecca had helped care for their children during cancer treatment.
'HEAVEN HAS GAINED AN ANGEL'
Keith Cowell, from Newcastle, told The Sun how his daughter Sarah, now 19 was treated by cancer nurse Becca at the city's Royal Victoria Infirmary when she was 13.
She was suffering from leukemia and is now 19 and has been in remission for three years after undergoing two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy.
He said: "Becca was a lovely girl always full of smiles and fun during a scary time for the kids having treatment.
"It's so scary when it is someone you know.
"Heaven has just gained a real angel."
Another wrote on Twitter: "Becca was a specialist nurse who cared for my daughter at the RVI Hospital on the children’s cancer ward.
"A life taken far too soon and that of a selfless person dedicated to others. RIP Becca."
Cousin Chrissy Mack thanked those posting tributes, saying: "So so nice to see so many people saying such lovely things about my cousin.
"The next NHS doorstep clap will certainly have extra meaning to me, these people are literally heroes. Rest In Peace Becca"
Rebecca's colleague Lauren Callender wrote: “Sleep tight hunnie Rebecca Mack you truly were an amazing girl and will be missed by many!
"You could light up a room, so bubbly and caring, honoured to have worked alongside you at 111, devastated beyond words.”
The tragic death of Becca comes as the UK death toll from coronavirus yesterday climbed to more than 6,000 with more than 51,000 cases.
Fourteen other NHS medics have been claimed by the virus including 44-year veteran NHS nurse Alice Kit Tak Ong, 70, who died yesterday.
Dr Anton Sebastianpillai, a consultant geriatrician, was killed by coronavirus on Saturday at Kingston Hospital.
On Monday, heart surgeon and dad-of-two Jitendra Rathod, who worked at the University Hospital of Wales, died in Cardiff after testing positive for Covid-19.
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The dad-of-two was described as an “incredibly dedicated surgeon” who cared deeply for his patients and was highly regarded in the medical profession in Wales.
It follows the tragic death of Lynsay Coventry, 54, died at Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust last Thursday – just a day before long-serving nurse Liz Glanister died in Liverpool.
Two other nurses, five doctors and two healthcare assistants have also died in the UK after contracting Covid-19.
John Alagos, 23, is believed to be the youngest British medic to have died from the deadly bug – collapsing after a 12 hour hospital shift.
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Dr Habib Zaidi, 76, from Leigh-on-Sea, is one of five doctors to have died from the deadly virus.
The well-respected GP died in intensive care at Southend Hospital, Essex, on March 25.
Give now to The Sun's NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
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