Family pay tribute to Hartlepool great-grandmother's 'unconditional love' after Covid loss

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Susan Willis paid tribute to her mother Eliza Jemmett’s ‘selfless spirit an abundance of unconditional love’.

Eliza, a resident of Sheraton Court care home in Warren Road, Hartlepool, died aged 87 earlier this year after contracting the virus.

Sadly, due to the restrictions Eliza’s family were not able to visit her which Susan said was ‘heartbreaking’.

Susan Willis (left) with her mother Eliza Jemmett on her 87th birthday last year.

Susan has chosen to share her loss and her mother’s story as part of Alice House Hospice’s campaign 2020 Never Forgotten.

It is to give families the opportunity to remember someone special who has lost their life during the coronavirus pandemic.

A memorial video of dedications and photographs from local families will be made as part of it.

Susan said: "It makes me so sad that Covid-19 took away our wonderful Mam who had a selfless spirit an abundance of unconditional love.

Eliza with a message to her family when they were unable to visit due to Covid guidelines.

“A lady who’s love for her family and friends was her whole being."

Due to Government regulations Susan hadn’t seen her mother, who died in May, since late February.

"The staff were amazing at keeping in touch but the lack of human touch visits was heart breaking,” said Susan.

Born in 1932, Eliza was one of eight children. After leaving school at 14 to work in a factory as a seamstress she married Percy, the love of her life, and they were married for 49 years.

Close family: From left Angela, dad Percy, Susan and Eliza Jemmett.

They opened Jemmett’s Hardware in 1964 which they ran together for over 20 years.

Susan added: “My sister Angela and I were so loved and always felt safe and so lucky that Ma and Pa were a perfect couple and the best parents you could wish for; our house was filled with love, laughter and music.

“The arrival of grandchildren Laura, Catherine, Anna and Olivia filled Mam with so much happiness and in later years great-grandchildren Annie, Nellie and Dominic also gave her so much joy.

"To Mam people mattered not possessions.

"We loved you to the moon and back, now and always in our hearts.”

Families are invited to send pictures and dedications for the 2020 Never Forgotten campaign to www.alicehousehospice.co.uk/2020-never-forgotten/

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