The daughter of the first nurse to tragically die in Ireland because of coronavirus has said her heroic mam was "kind, loving and a blessing in our lives".
Beena George worked on the front line in one of Ireland's busiest hospitals, Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda, for a decade but her working career came to a halt when she was diagnosed with stage-4 cancer.
The 58-year-old, already battling one cruel illness, died on Sunday morning at the hands of another, losing a tough fight with the killer COVID-19 bug.
Her daughter Anmi George described her mum as "beautiful" in a heartbreaking tribute adding: "As anyone who has had the luck of being acquainted with her will let you know, she was kind, loving and a blessing in all of our lives.
"She always gave out the best advice and was there for anyone who needed her, no matter what."
Beena was immediately admitted to Drogheda hospital last month to battle the pneumonia which she fought for 17 days and at the time was tested for coronavirus which came back negative.
She recovered from the pneumonia and was discharged but after spending two days at home, she developed a fever and shortness of breath and was admitted to the hospital again.
Following another test, Beena tested positive for the killer bug with the hospital informing her husband by call to not come to the hospital and to stay in quarantine.
Her husband, George, took to Facebook to break the tragic news that he had lost his wife to the cruel virus.
He said: “With profound grief and sorrow, I share the news that my wife Beena passed away peacefully around 6.30 this morning (Sunday) at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda."
Beena is survived by her husband and their two daughters and the family are now awaiting details of her funeral in accordance to Ireland's COVID-19 protocols.
