THE family of a north Belfast pensioner have told of their "unbearable" pain at not being able to say goodbye after she died in a nursing home which was on Covid-19 lockdown.
Relatives of Bernie Moore (74) had not seen the much-loved former dinner lady for almost three weeks as Bradley Manor Nursing Home on the Crumlin Road had been closed to visitors amid attempts to keep residents safe from the virus.
The pensioner died on Monday, just two days before her 47th wedding anniversary.
Speaking to The Irish News, her sister Anne Anderson said the pain of not being with her "best friend" when she died and being unable to give her a full funeral has been heartbreaking.
The 81-year-old said her sister, who was originally from the Carrick Hill area, had been living in the care home for the past five years as a result of dementia.
During that time her husband Jim visited her daily, spending between 12.30pm and 8.30pm with her.
He would feed his wife both lunch and dinner, as family said she would eat for no-one else.
Nieces would also take it in turn to visit and bathe their aunt.
On Monday the family were told Mrs Moore's health had deteriorated.
Ms Anderson said she asked staff to whisper into her sister's ear that she was with her and to place her rosary beads in her hands.
A short time later, they were told she had died.
"It is just unbearable," said Ms Anderson.
"I will never see her face. I will never hold her hand. The last time I saw her was nearly three weeks ago and she kissed my fingers."
She her brother-in-law, who had not even been allowed to wave at his beloved wife through the window of the nursing home, had been left "in bits" by her unexpected death.
"He did everything for her," she said.
"We are a very close family. It was heart-breaking not to have been able to get into see her."
Mrs Moore will be cremated at Roselawn on Saturday and while there will be no service, some of her nieces, nephews and grandchildren will be allowed to park in the car park, lower their windows and sing a hymn from inside their vehicles.
"It's hell you know," Ms Anderson said.
"I miss the two of us together. I miss the laughing. She was my best friend.
"It is a nightmare. I can't get my head around it. How did this happen? Why?"
