THE family of a Co Down woman who died following a battle with Covid-19 have told of how the loss has left them "absolutely devastated".
Rosaleen Moore, who was 72, died at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry on Monday.
The great grandmother, who was known as `Big Nanny', tested positive for coronavirus on January 21 and when her breathing deteriorated a few days later, she was admitted to hospital.
The Warrenpoint woman was put on to a CPAP machine, which delivers oxygenated air into the airways through a mask.
The mother-of-two responded well to treatment for the first 10 days however her condition began to worsen.
On Sunday, Rosaleen's two daughters, Janine, a staff nurse who works in the Emergency Department at Daisy Hill, and Donna, a domiciliary care worker for the trust, were allowed to put on full PPE and go and sit with their mother.
Doctors then advised them to set up a Facetime call with other family members, which they did.
Mrs Moore passed away on Monday.
Speaking to The Irish News, Janine Curran said the loss of her mother had left the family "absolutely devastated".
The mother-of-five described her family's experience of Covid as being "like a movie".
"It just felt wrong," she said.
"Not being able to hug her. I wasn't able to kiss her. All I was able to do was hold her hand.
"Never would I like anyone to have that experience.
"If she had have been going in with something else, everybody would have been with her. She would have had all that communication.
"It was robbed of her. Covid robbed her."
The Hilltown woman said being able to get in to see her mother had been "so precious".
"Getting into her was the world," she said.
"It was so just important. The doctors phoned every day and gave us an update and that was totally invaluable.
"On Sunday, when I was with her, I was able to Facetime all the grandchildren. The doctor approached me and said she felt this would be the last time."
Janine said her mother would be remembered as a "very pleasant and welcoming person".
She said the 72-year-old had been heavily involved in the Lourdes Committee for many years, working as a Chief Handmaid and therefore being responsible for making all the arrangements for the sick who made the journey.
She had also been involved in providing respite care for disabled children.
"She talked to everybody, of all ages," said Janine.
"She loved young people. She had a connection with young people.
"She had a strong faith. She cared about others. There are so many families she helped."
The Co Down woman said the family felt the loss is "just so wrong".
"If this wasn't here, she would be alive," she said.
"We don't know how we are going to go on without her."
She added: "This is real. This is happening all around us. It is horrific.
"Protect the NHS. I don't think the public realise how invaluable it is."
