Memorial Thread - COVID-19 Coronavirus

[BetteDavisEyes]

'60s singer Trini Lopez, 83, dies while battling coronavirus

The “If I Had a Hammer” singer was mentored by Frank Sinatra and opened for the Beatles.

Singer Trini Lopez, who enjoyed a heyday in the 1960s with hits including “If I Had a Hammer” and “This Land Is Your Land,” died Tuesday from complications related to coronavirus, collaborators said. He was 83.

Lopez had been in and out of a hospital setting for about six weeks before dying about 5 a.m. at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California, said songwriting partner Joe Chavir...

 

[JerseyGirl]

Father and son doctors die of coronavirus after treating COVID-19 patients on Florida front lines

Dr. Jorge A. Vallejo, 89, a retired obstetrician and gynecologist, and his 57-year-old son, Dr. Carlos Francisco Vallejo, who was caring for up to 76 COVID-19 patients, were both hospitalized on Father’s Day, the Miami Herald reported.

Jorge Vallejo died six days later, on June 27. Carlos Vallejo hung on for 42 days in intensive care before succumbing to the illness, dying on Aug. 1.

 

[weepingangel]

Kindred spirits: COVID takes a proud Rhode Island working-class dad and son within an hour of each other
More at link

The doctors told the family of Dan Remillard, age 43, that his time was at hand. He’d held on for six weeks, often on a ventilator, but the virus had taken a toll.

As Dan, a working man from Woonsocket, lay unconscious at Rhode Island Hospital, those who knew and loved him gathered by Zoom to say goodbye. In a testament to how many souls Dan had touched, almost 100 were on the video call.

There was one notable absence – Dan’s father, Ron Remillard.

Ron too, was gravely ill from COVID, in his case, having served in Vietnam, at the Providence VA Medical Center.

As folks on the Zoom said final words to Dan, there came a heartbreaking turn. A VA doctor phoned Ron’s wife to tell her difficult news.

Her husband, at age 72, had just lost his battle.

The Zoom by then was almost over.

Not long after, Dan Remillard’s battle ended too, father and son dying within an hour of each other, both victims of the pandemic of 2020.

 

[weepingangel]

North Carolina husband and wife die of Covid-19 while holding hands - CNN
More at link
A couple married for over 50 years died of coronavirus only minutes apart holding hands.

Johnny Lee Peoples, 67, and his wife Cathy "Darlene" Peoples, 65 started feeling symptoms at the beginning of August, but would not make it to see more than two days of September.
"Mom and Dad lived hand to hand for 50 years, they died hand to hand, now they're walking in heaven hand to hand," their son, Shane Peoples, told CNN.

 

[weepingangel]

Nicholas Gismondi, right, and his older brother, Ralph, loved spending time together and were "big family men."

He lost his brother to Covid-19. Twelve days later, he died too - CNN
more at link

Nicholas Gismondi was in the hospital when he found out his older brother, Ralph, had died from the coronavirus April 5.

Nicholas, 65, had gone into the hospital after experiencing trouble breathing. Five days later, he went into the intensive care unit because his breathing got worse.
It didn't take long for doctors to determine that Nicholas and his wife, Mary Jane, both had Covid-19. While hospitalized, he learned of his older brother's death, and 12 days later, Nicholas, too, succumbed to the virus.
The brothers' bond
Family members said Nicholas and Ralph, 68, were great friends and enjoyed spending time together, especially on family vacations.
Mary Jane and Ralph's widow, Ann, described their husbands as being "big family men" and said they "loved being grandfathers."
Ann said that after Ralph died, more than 50 employees of JetBlue, where he worked, drove past their house to honor his life.
Mary Jane said on the day she brought Nicholas' ashes home, her neighbors honored him with signs and banners and raised a glass to Nicholas.

 

[weepingangel]

Families of Mass. health care workers who died from COVID-19 share memories | Boston.com
Much More at link
Rose Taldon delighted in cooking for her loved ones — the bigger the family gathering, the better.

David Ferranti was a history buff, attentive to the needs of others, with a passion for gardening.

Cindy Locklear was a doting grandmother and great-grandmother who loved walking her dogs.

All three were dedicated to caring for others; their commitment to helping people leading them to careers in health care. For all three, it was a dedication that continued, unwavering, as they served on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic in what would become the final weeks and months of their lives.

 

[anneg]

^^ These stories are so heartbreaking. Seeing the faces of the people who have died from Covid is important, IMO. How many more lives will be cut short in the next weeks, months, and years? I wish our government leaders would take a few minutes every day to look at the faces of those we have lost during this pandemic.

 

[PommyMommy]

NOV 10, 2020
https://www.usnews.com/news/world/a...fter-contracting-covid-19-fatah-official-says
Saeb Erekat, a prominent Palestinian spokesman for decades, died on Tuesday after contracting COVID-19, a senior member of his Fatah party said. He was 65.

[...]

Erekat confirmed on Oct. 8 that he had been infected with the coronavirus. In 2017 he underwent a lung transplant in the United States, which suppressed his immune system.

He was rushed from his home in the West Bank city of Jericho to Hadassah Medical Center in Israel last week. Doctors placed him on a ventilator and in a medically induced coma after his condition deteriorated.

Also see: Longtime Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erekat Dies Of Complications From COVID-19

 

[weepingangel]

Charles City schools teacher with COVID-19 dies - KCHA News


Amid the Charles City school district reverting back to the hybrid model for grades 7-12, it was announced that a teacher from the high school, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 back in September, has died.

The district sent out a release that explained that Special Education Teacher Darla Arends – a employee of CCHS for 25 years – had died.

The release reads:

“Ms. Arends touched the lives of many students, parents and staff as a special education teacher. Her reach went well beyond her classroom and students, serving as a mentor for her Charles City Family. She is a beloved and valuable member of our family, and she will be deeply missed.”

When asked why Arends was a teacher, she responded, “to help students become themselves.”

 

[weepingangel]

Iowa teacher dies 3 days after testing positive for COVID-19

BELMOND, Iowa —

The Belmond-Klemme Community School District is mourning the loss of a beloved teacher.

Jason Englert's family said he tested positive for coronavirus three days before he died.


"Jason was always such a pleasure to have because he had such a positive attitude, a lot of energy, and the rapport he had with students was remarkable," said Dan Frazier, superintendent of Belmond-Klemme.

Devastation and sadness are sweeping through the district after the 38-year-old teacher was found dead inside his home on Nov. 8.

“For the students, of course it was such a shock at first. Many of our students had trouble knowing how to register this,” Frazier said.

Wright County has been hit hard with the coronavirus. That’s why the Belmond-Klemme district did mass testing last week. Englert's family said that’s how he learned he was positive and eventually started to develop a slight headache.

Frazier coached volleyball alongside Englert. He said not only was Englert an exceptional coach, but also a brilliant teacher who taught students in the talented and gifted program.

“He was just a very energetic guy, and he always had a cheerful way of looking at things,” Frazier said. “It wasn’t unusual for me to ask him how it was going and he would say things like ‘living the dream.’”

The dream of teaching led Englert to a few school districts over his career. Family and colleagues said his impact on his students will be his lasting legacy.

“We continue to mourn for our loss and we pray for Jason’s family,” Frazier said.

Englert’s family said they don’t have an official cause of death yet, but they wonder if the virus spurred a heart attack or stroke.

 

[anneg]

Iowa teacher dies 3 days after testing positive for COVID-19

BELMOND, Iowa —

The Belmond-Klemme Community School District is mourning the loss of a beloved teacher.

Jason Englert's family said he tested positive for coronavirus three days before he died.


"Jason was always such a pleasure to have because he had such a positive attitude, a lot of energy, and the rapport he had with students was remarkable," said Dan Frazier, superintendent of Belmond-Klemme.

Devastation and sadness are sweeping through the district after the 38-year-old teacher was found dead inside his home on Nov. 8.

“For the students, of course it was such a shock at first. Many of our students had trouble knowing how to register this,” Frazier said.

Wright County has been hit hard with the coronavirus. That’s why the Belmond-Klemme district did mass testing last week. Englert's family said that’s how he learned he was positive and eventually started to develop a slight headache.

Frazier coached volleyball alongside Englert. He said not only was Englert an exceptional coach, but also a brilliant teacher who taught students in the talented and gifted program.

“He was just a very energetic guy, and he always had a cheerful way of looking at things,” Frazier said. “It wasn’t unusual for me to ask him how it was going and he would say things like ‘living the dream.’”

The dream of teaching led Englert to a few school districts over his career. Family and colleagues said his impact on his students will be his lasting legacy.

“We continue to mourn for our loss and we pray for Jason’s family,” Frazier said.

Englert’s family said they don’t have an official cause of death yet, but they wonder if the virus spurred a heart attack or stroke.

It's distressing to read about the deaths of these valued teachers. So many lives being lost...and many more to come.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Plymouth-Canton Schools mourns loss of beloved employee to COVID-19

Don Lucas was loved by students, staff

CANTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A beloved security guard in the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools district is a reminder of how devastating coronavirus has been for so many.

Don Lucas lost his battle with COVID-19 last week.

To the students, Lucas was more than a security guard. He was an inspiration. It was more than just a job for Lucas...

 

[Forumetiolo]

For family & friends.

My tears are literally falling for some reason.

 

[MimosaMornings]

'I still can't believe it:' Family, school mourning after Fayetteville art teacher dies of COVID-19 :: WRAL.com

 

[MimosaMornings]

Lincolnton man known as ‘Santa Jim’ dies of COVID-19

RIP “Santa Jim”

 

[anneg]

'I still can't believe it:' Family, school mourning after Fayetteville art teacher dies of COVID-19 :: WRAL.com

Lincolnton man known as ‘Santa Jim’ dies of COVID-19

RIP “Santa Jim”

I read about these deaths in the News & Observer. Heartbreaking.

 

[weepingangel]

On Thanksgiving, remembering those we’ve lost due to COVID-19
Video at link /approx 30 minutes
On this Thanksgiving Day, tens of thousands of our friends and neighbors have one less person at the table because of COVID-19. It is this pandemic, and the devastation it has wrought in this country, that makes this holiday so different for all of us. Judy Woodruff takes an extended look back at just some of the more than 260,000 Americans lost so far to COVID-19.

 

[weepingangel]

911 dispatcher dies of COVID - CNN
Much more at link
Lopez, known as Lupe (or Lou, in emergencies) died earlier this month of Covid-19. He was 58 and among the essential workers who must show up to work, and one of the more than 9,100 people who have died from the disease in the Chicago area. It's not clear where Lopez contracted the illness, but the city is treating this as an on-the-job death.

Guadalupe Lopez at his 58th birthday party.
"His pride was going to work," said Erica Lopez, his daughter. "He loved his job. He loved making sure police officers made it home at night."
A wake for Lopez is scheduled for this weekend, with a funeral planned for Monday. His wife of more than 30 years is also sick with Covid-19 and will not be able to attend the services. She was transferred from the hospital where her husband died to a different one, where she was on a ventilator in the intensive care unit as of Friday, says Andy Lopez, 21, the couple's youngest child.

 

[FrostOwl]

Sven Wollter, one if Sweden's most renowed actors, died of Covid-19 at the age of 86, on November 19, 2020.
Sven Wollter - Wikipedia

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Married for nearly 50 years, Jackson couple die of COVID seconds apart (detroitnews.com)

Jackson — During their marriage of nearly 50 years, Patricia and Leslie "L.D." McWaters bowled together, danced together — and after they contracted the COVID virus, they took an ambulance to the hospital together, and then died together.

The couple died seconds apart on Nov. 24 in Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital in Jackson. She was 78; he was 75.

"The time on both of their death certificates is 4:23 p.m., because (the difference) was too close to call," said daughter Joanna Sisk. "It's like they met right after they died and went up to heaven together."...