The devastated partner of a doting dad who beat meningitis to be there for his little boy has paid an emotional tribute after he collapsed and died outside a supermarket.
Lee Stephenson was just 34 when he died, leaving his loved ones struggling to come to terms with their loss.
Elaine Daniels, who was with Lee for 10 years, has thanked a passer-by who tried to save him before paramedics arrived, Chronicle Live reports.
Lee was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle after collapsing outside the Morrisons store in Byker.
But nothing could be done to save his life after he suffered a stroke in the early hours of the following morning.
Today Lee's loved ones have paid tribute to the dad-of-one as they prepare to lay him to rest.
And his partner of 10 years, Elaine Daniels, has told of her gratitude to the stranger who tried to help her 'soul mate' when she could not be there for him herself.
The devastated 32-year-old said: "We think a passer-by stopped and gave him CPR until the ambulance got there, which is incredible anyway, but especially with this virus.
"I'm so grateful to that person. We would love to know who it was. I just want to thank them for being there. It's just absolutely amazing."
Lee grew-up in the Benwell area of Newcastle and was a protective brother to siblings Helen, David, Bradley and Kevin.
He first met Elaine in 2011 when he was living in a hostel in Elswick and she was homeless.
Elaine said the pair hit it off straight away and the new relationship inspired them both to turn their lives around and seek a settled home together.
"When we got our first flat together it was a turning point in both our lives," Elaine explained. "As soon as we got that flat everything got better."
Lee, who worked as a labourer and painter and decorator, was over the moon when Elaine gave birth to their son Peter-Lee seven years ago.
"He was a dead good dad," said Elaine. "I remember when Peter was born he always wanted to do all the jobs other dad's didn't want to do. He was made to be a dad."
Lee contracted meningitis in March last year, just as the country went into the first coronavirus lockdown.
He spent two months in hospital and although he was able to beat the infection it caused damage to his heart, Elaine said.
"He caught meningitis and all his organs shut down," she explained. "He had to have heart surgery. It was something to do with the valves.
"He was in hospital for two months but he managed to get through that."
In the months before Lee death he was living in Byker while Elaine lived in Scotswood with Peter-Lee.
The couple had decided to live apart for a while to allow Elaine to focus on her son, who has additional needs.
"I think we would have always been together," said Elaine. "It was just a waiting game. I just wanted to concentrate on Peter for a while."
Lee's family believe he was at the shops alone when he collapsed, and they did not find out what had happened as medics were unable to trace his next if kin, said Elaine.
After Lee died in hospital on July 10 his sister Helen, 27, went to deliver the devastating news to Elaine.
And the mum-then faced the heartbreaking task of telling her little boy.
"Peter knew his dad had had a heart operation because he used to show him his scar," she said. "He knew something was up because we were upset.
"I sat him down and said; 'Remember how dad has got a poorly heart? His heart has stopped and he's had to go to heaven. He got really upset."
And paying tribute to her partner, Elaine added: "I would just describe him as being really protective and really passionate. He would always stand-up for his family. He just had a heart of gold.
"If you walked down the street with him he would just talk to everyone."
Lee's sister Helen said his death had left her whole family heartbroken, and that her mum Jacqueline was supporting them all, despite her own grief.
"He was the best brother," she said. "Me and Lee were so close, we were too peas in a pod.
"He was so protective over us all. He was just a character. He knew everyone, you couldn't go anywhere without seeing someone he knew. He would speak to anyone, he was just hyper.
"He adored Peter. When he became a dad, those were the best days of his life."
And Elaine added: "Lee's mum has been an absolute trooper, she's just kept everyone going."
Lee's funeral will take place at the West Road Crematorium in Newcastle at 12.45pm on Tuesday
Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Maggie's Cancer Care.
