The partner of a young Angus woman who collapsed on her way to work and died shortly afterwards has spoken of the dreadful shock of receiving the phone call to tell him what had happened just minutes after he had said goodbye to her.
Marie Stewart (32), of Arbroath, was on her way to start work at 6am on Monday when she collapsed in the car park of the Morrisons store in Hume Street where she was cash office supervisor.
The alarm was raised and paramedics took her to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee under police escort.
Her partner of 11 years Alan Johnston (38) was following on but she died before he reached the hospital.
Speaking through tears from the couple’s home in Andrew Barton Street, he said, “We had been up since 4am because we had my car to take to the garage before Marie went to work.
“She dropped me off home but I was barely inside the house when the phone rang with someone telling me she had collapsed. I was down there in minutes but an ambulance was already there. As far as I know she died en route to the hospital. One minute we’re waving goodbye as usual, the next thing I know she is gone forever.”
A native of Arbroath, Marie, who celebrated her birthday a week ago, had worked for 14 years at Morrisons and was a hugely popular member of staff.
“She was quite a quiet, private person, very easygoing and kind to everyone,” Mr Johnston said. “But she was full of fun too and quick witted, always with a clever retort handy.”
He works in Forfar with Ross and Bonnyman, manufacturer of tail lifts for trucks, but is also well known in Arbroath as a long time member of the Abbey Theatre amateur drama group.
The couple met when Marie worked as a checkout operator in Morrisons.
He said, “When I finally asked her out she already knew who I was from having seen me on stage. She loved musicals.”
The couple’s home is also testament to her love of animals, with a rescued parrot and cat among the menagerie. “She was notorious for taking in abandoned animals,” said Mr Johnston.
Marie is survived by her mother Norma Stewart (63), of Arbroath, who he said was “utterly distraught” at the tragedy, brother Alastair, who works with Hydro-Electric in Arbroath, and her sister Jill, who lives near Dumfries.Circulation problemThe cause of her collapse is still unknown and a post mortem is to be undertaken. Alan suspects she may have suffered a heart attack.
He said, “She had been having a circulation problem in her left leg and was due for an appointment at Stracathro Hospital.
“The only thing she said yesterday was that she had a numb feeling in her left arm, like pins and needles, which she couldn’t shake off. It never occurred to me what it could be.
“It’s only on hindsight you wonder. I was told she had just got out of her car and was walking towards the entrance at Morrisons when she collapsed.”
Staff at Morrisons on Tuesday were still too shocked to speak of the tragic loss of their colleague. A spokesman for the company said, “Marie has been a valued and very well liked member of the team for 14 years.
“She will be very sadly missed and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.”