A 95-year-old great-grandmother who survived COVID-19 has revealed her heartbreak at not being able to go to her husband's funeral after he died from the deadly disease.
Maura Byrne was still battling the virus herself when her husband Stephen sadly died last year, although he left her a beautiful final message that she still takes inspiration from.
She said: “I buried my husband and I couldn’t see him. I watched it on a phone.
"I wanted to touch my own (family). On my husband’s card he told me that I could ‘cry and want me back or smile and think of the happy days we had’.”
Maura became the first person at St James's Hospital's residential care unit, Hollybrook Lodge, to receive the coronavirus vaccine today.
She said she "feels great" after receiving the dose and encouraged others to get the jab.
Brave Maura hasn't been able to see family and friends due to coronavirus restrictions but said she feels "lucky" that she can stay in touch with them on her iPad.
"I’m very very happy. I’m really happy. I’m lucky, I have an iPad so I have little chats.
"When I go back up now I’ll say, ‘Look! I got the vaccine’.
"It’s lovely, they all have messages for you. I have 15 great-grandchildren. The great-grandchildren would be standing on their heads, they’re really funny.”
And she thanked her family and the nurses in Hollybrook Lodge for their support as she vowed to keep smiling as her beloved Stephen requested.
"The nurses here are very kind. It’s a home from home."
Mary Day, CEO at St James’s Hospital said it was "fitting" that the rollout of the vaccine took place at Hollybrook Lodge.
She added: "We know that COVID-19 has been particularly challenging for older people and vaccinating our older and vulnerable population and those who care for them is our priority.
"Thanks to all the residents and staff for their support in rolling out the vaccine."
