THE family of a west Belfast great-grandmother who died from coronavirus have said they feel it robbed her of at least another 10 years of life.
Elizabeth Donnelly, who was known as Betty, died at the Mater Hospital on Saturday.
Relatives of the "fit and healthy" 79-year-old, who was described as "real lady", last night said her death did not seem real.
The Andersonstown woman, who lived in Riverdale, had developed a high temperature for 24 hours before becoming more ill on Mother's Day last month.
After consultation with a GP, she was taken by ambulance to the Mater where she tested positive for coronavirus.
Over the next few days Mrs Donnelly's condition worsened and she was put on oxygen.
The family were then informed that due to her mother's age, she would not be a candidate for ventilation if needed.
Just days after speaking to their mother on the phone, Mrs Donnelly was put on double-oxygen.
The family were told she was being kept "comfortable" and the pallative care team then became involved.
Speaking to The Irish News, her daughter Una said what the mother-of-seven had been "full of life".
"She was very fit and healthy. She would have gone into town, she was very independent. Got her hair done. She didn't smoke, she didn't have a drink. She was always there, willing to help."
The midwife said the family had been hoping for a miracle to save the devout Catholic but "it wasn't to be".
She said she understands why the grandmother-of-17, who had seasonal asthma, was not a candidate for ventilation.
"You hear it on the news that it might be happening in Italy and Spain but it is actually happening here," she said.
"It's a very difficult decision they are making. I don't envy the staff making their decisions."
Una said not being able to give their mother a full funeral was "very hard".
"No wake. No celebration of life. It's not the same," she said.
"She had lived in Riverdale 57/58 years. All those neighbours and friend and parishioners, everyone who knew there, will not get a chance to say goodbye. It is so hard and so surreal for families.
"Mummy wanted to be cremated. There is just nothing. It seems very cold. It doesn't seem real."
She said her mother's remains will be driven down the street where she lived on the way to Roselawn Crematorium today and family, adhering to social distancing, will line the route.
"It goes through these waves. You wake up and you think it is a dream," she said.
"When it hits you, it's like somebody has punched the life out of you. It's happening and it is going to happen to a lot more families.
"She had maybe another 10, 12, 13 years. I feel she has been robbed of that."
