The heartbreak of a popular nurse's tragic death from coronavirus, just days before she turned 60, will "never heal", her brother has said.
Angela Cunningham, known as Angie, had been on a ventilator in ITU at Borders General Hospital for a week after testing positive for the killer bug, before she died on Wednesday.
The passing of the great-grandmother, from Tweedbank, Selkirkshire, was announced by NHS Borders yesterday.
Younger brother Willie Patterson described his sister as "one hell of a woman", adding that she died "doing what she loved", reports the Daily Record.
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"My pride and love for my big sister, Angie cannot ever be measured," he wrote on Facebook.
"Taken down yesterday in the midst of this current battle.
"Doing what she loved, taking care of others alongside her family,friends and colleagues of the NHS.
"A new day has dawned and it feels like the hurt will never heal.
"To my family back home that I cannot be with to give her the send off she so deserves, she was one hell of a woman and I cannot believe I will never see her again.
"I love you so very much, sis."
Angie had worked for NHS Borders for over 30 years, with health board chief executive Ralph Roberts releasing a statement on behalf of devastated colleagues and family.
It described the late nurse as a "much loved wife, mother, sister, granny and great granny, as well as a friend to many more".
It went on to say Angie was a "much respected and valued colleague" at the hospital, "providing amazing care to patients".
"She was very proud to be a nurse alongside her love for her family," the statement concluded.
Angie had been sharing updates on social media as she bravely battled Covid-19 at home, including thanking loved ones for their support.
She described "vomiting for two days" but said she had "no cough or chest pains, just excruciating muscle and joint pains" in the days before being admitted.
"Don't know how I'll ever repay my family for shopping, dog walking, cooking and baking," Angie wrote on April 6.
"All my friends for daily messages and offers of help.
"Thank you all so much."
Tragically, she also reassured one friend, "we will all be together again, love you loads".
Heartbroken colleagues took to Facebook to pay tribute to the 'team player' nurse who "wasn't scared to stand up and be counted when things were tough".
One former workmate posted: "She was amazing in so many ways and touched us all."
Another described her as "one in a million".
Angie's daughter, Jill Cunningham, who is also a nurse, then shared a photo in tribute to her mum on social media.
