A 'caring and joyous' worker at Southmead Hospital and mum-of-five has died after testing positive for coronavirus.
Maureen Ellington, a healthcare assistant at Southmead Hospital, passed away in the early hours of Easter Sunday (April 12).
Maureen, who was in her early 60s, had worked for the NHS for over 25 years and was a member of numerous teams within North Bristol NHS Trust, at both Frenchay and Southmead Hospitals.
The trust said she was well-loved by every colleague and patient she came into contact with.
Maureen’s family said in a statement: “We are heartbroken to lose the pillar of our family at this time.
"She was simply amazing. She loved her husband, five children, six grandchildren, wider family, friends and colleagues.
"She was kind hearted, bubbly, caring and always joyous. She would light up any room she entered. She will always be in our hearts.”
Maureen’s manager, Suzanne Moss, said: “To receive the sad news that an irreplaceable member of our team has sadly passed away has had a deeply devastating impact on us all.
"Maureen was a kind hearted, compassionate and caring person and she brought all these attributes into her ward practice which made her a highly valued member of the team.
"Maureen put the patients and colleagues before herself and always had a smile on her face.
"She will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends”.
Andrea Young, chief executive at North Bristol NHS Trust, added: “Our Trust has been on a journey over the years, through which Maureen has continued to play a caring and dedicated part. I want to personally recognise Maureen’s considerable service to the NHS and to North Bristol Trust specifically.
"The current challenge of facing the COVID-19 pandemic is the next step in our journey, and one that none of our staff have ever experienced.
"It has united us all in solidarity, as one NBT family, and one that Maureen will always remain a part of in our hearts.
"Having touched the lives of many of our staff over the years, we will be providing a place for everyone to remember Maureen in a virtual memorial service next week."
