A mum and daughter who both refused the Covid-19 vaccine died just days apart on the same hospital ward after contracting the virus.
Mum-of-four Sammie-Jo Forde, 32, died in the Ulster Hospital, on the outskirts of east Belfast on Saturday.
Her death came just two weeks after her mum Heather Maddern, 55, died on August 31, just two beds away from her.
Ms Forde’s dad Kevin McAllister said the loss of both his daughter and his former partner had “shattered” his world.
"I've lost my daughter, my best friend,” he said.
Ms Forde left behind her a husband and four children, the eldest of whom is 13 years old.
Mr McAllister said his ex-partner Ms Maddern and his daughter were “very, very” close and had both worked and lived together.
The pair had been domiciliary care workers, who looked after elderly people in their own homes.
Ms Maddern’s funeral took place on Monday September 13, while her daughter would be farewelled in a funeral in Holywood, County Down, on Monday.
Mr McAllister told the BBC he had “never, never” thought he would have to bury his daughter.
Before she died, his daughter had been texting him from the hospital, and had informed him of her mother’s death.
"My daughter sent me a text message saying: 'Dad, Mummy's passed away'," he said, adding that they had been only two beds apart.
Friends paid tribute to the younger of the pair on social media, remembering her as a “caring, amazing” woman.
“Omg I can't believe what I have just heard Sammie-Jo Forde rest in peace. You where so beautiful and unique always had great chats,” one person wrote.
“I am sure your wee mummy is holding you so tightly. May the Angel's gave your little family especially your beautiful children the strength to get through,” they continued.
Another wrote of their grief of finding out their childhood friend had passed away.
“You were one of the most caring amazing women I know my thoughts and prayers are with your wee children and your husband Sammie-Jo Forde,” another posted.
“Forever in my heart. RIP beautiful.”
Ms Forde wasn’t believed to have had any underlying health conditions; her father said she was a healthy adult.
She eventually died from heart failure after contracting Covid-19.
Her father did not understand why his daughter and ex-partner did not take up the offer of a vaccine to protect themselves against Covid-19.
He also spoke of the irony that the pair had worked to help other people but didn’t help themselves.
"These people who are not taking the Covid-19 injection - they're not thinking of the other people that they leave behind,” he said.
Mr McAllister said the rest of his family had been left to “pick up the pieces” after the tragic loss.
He urged the public to “listen to the experts” and get vaccinated.
A fundraising page set up by a woman called 'Debbie' to help relieve the financial burden faced by Ms Forde's husband, had raised more than £10,000 since it was set up at the beginning of this week.
"Anyone who was lucky enough to know sammie knew how she felt about john(her caveman) and her kids," the page read.
"I can't even imagine what he or the kids are feeling at this time! To not only lose their granny/mother in law but to lose their mother/wife is just unimaginable."
