The grieving family of a Tayside Covid-19 victim have paid tribute to their “wonderful” mother and the NHS staff who cared for her in her final days.
Popular Broughty Ferry woman Sheila French died after six days in Ninewells Hospital intensive care, where she was admitted on her return from a holiday with family in Lanzarote to celebrate her 80th birthday.
Her loved ones faced the agony of not being able to visit the hospital, but son Colin spoke of the exemplary care she received from the health staff on the pandemic frontline and their determination to ensure her “comfort and dignity right to the end”.
Originally from Glasgow, Sheila spent a year in Toronto as a young girl following the death of her father, returning to Uddingston where, as a teenager she met Eric French, who she went on to marry in 1962.
The couple lived in Bishopton before moving to Broughty Ferry in 1970 when Mr French became the first principal teacher of chemistry at the new Craigie High School, a post he held for 29 years until his retiral. He passed away in 2011.
They were well-known figures in the Ferry community through interests including their lifelong love of tennis as members of the local club, and a strong connection with Barnhill St Margaret’s Parish Church, where Mrs French sang in the choir for more than four decades.
An accomplished pianist and organist, she was also a member of Dundee Choral Union for over 30 years.
After bringing up the family’s five children – David, Wendy, Martin, Colin and Brian – Mrs French became a popular figure in the wool shop in Broughty’s Gray Street, then worked with the blood transfusion service and as a phlebotomist in Ninewells, retiring in 1999.
Son Colin said: “She was interested in so many things, music and singing were a huge part of her life and still loved reciting poetry which she had learned at school. She took a great interest in her family and five grandchildren and continued to enjoy overseas travel.
“She was also always surrounded by wool for knitting and crochet. Her main thing in recent years was crocheting blankets to raise money for charities including CHAS, and she also collected for Save The Children.
Mrs French left Scotland the day after her March 11 80th birthday to spend a week in Lanzarote with her son, Martin and his wife.
Colin added: “She returned a week later and at that point was quite unwell. I suspect she contracted the virus before leaving and became unwell while she was there.
“She came back on the 19th and at that point was quite unwell with respiratory issues.”
Mrs French was admitted to intensive care and passed away on March 27.
“No-one was able to visit mum, which was very hard for us,” added Mr French.
“The doctors and nurses are obviously working under extremely unusual circumstances, but they were in regular contact throughout. Their care from the outset was absolutely exemplary.
“Their priority was mum’s comfort and dignity right to the end,” he said.
It is the family’s intention to celebrate their mother’s life with a service of thanksgiving in due course.
