THE family of a "kind and gentle" Newtownabbey woman who died by suicide have told how the Covid-19 lockdown had a "massive effect" on her.
Lisa Cleary, who was 42 and from Bawnmore Park, was found at her home last Friday.
The family of the mother-of-two, who suffered from mental ill health for more than a decade, said they have been left in "unbearable" pain by their loss, describing her death as a "complete shock".
Tracey Cleary said her sister had been "funny and bubbly" before she began to struggle with her mental health and had spent periods in Holywell Hospital over the years.
The 39-year-old said the death of their mother, Patricia, last year had a "massive impact".
However, she said Lisa had been "doing brilliantly" in recent times until the coronavirus lockdown came into force.
They family have now launched a JustGiving page to raise money for the Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide and Self-Harm (PIPS) in memory of their sister.
Having set out with a target of £500, they have already raised more than £3,500.
"Lisa had a mental illness for about 13/14 years," said Tracey.
"She cared for mummy who passed away last year. That really had a massive impact on Lisa.
"She was just devoted to those two boys. She could not have done enough for them. Always interested in what they were doing and very proud of them.
"She struggled and some days, Lisa was a shell of her former self. Before the mental illness took over, she was very funny and bubbly."
Tracey said although she had been doing very well in recent times, the coronavirus crisis had a "profound effect" on her.
"The stuff Lisa enjoyed, getting her hair done and her nails done, she couldn't. That lifted her."
She said her sister, who had formerly worked at Homebase, would be remembered as the kindest person.
"She had the gentlest voice," she said.
"Her smile would have lit up a room. She really took care of herself. She always had her make-up on and her hair blonde.
"She always got help, she always would have spoken up. It is a complete shock - we never thought we would have got that phone call.
"It is traumatic - it is actual physical pain. That dread feeling you get in your stomach, it is crippling. She was the kindest, loveliest, gentlest person.
"We would like to thank all of the community who have supported us through this tragedy. We really appreciate it."
Tracey urged others to "use the support that is around you"
"Don't be afraid to ask. Don't ever be afraid to reach out to anybody," she said.
"Just ask because the pain, the loss, the trauma that our family are feeling and the pain my sister was feeling to do that is just unbearable. There are other options.
"She has just left a massive gap in our family. Lisa’s mental illness took her life."
Tracey added: "Mental health in Northern Ireland is in need of huge investment. Especially in the aftermath of the Covid-19 lockdown, action on mental health needs to be made a priority."
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/karen-knowles-1.
:: Anyone feeling in distress can contact Lifeline on 0808 808 800 or the Samaritans on 116 123.
