The family of Mrs. Una Ellis, who passed away after contracting Covid-19, has spoken of their grief and hurt at how they have been unable to “celebrate her life in the traditional manner”.

95-year-old Una passed away peacefully on Monday, October 26 but due to current restrictions, the family could only hold a small graveside funeral on Wednesday to say goodbye to the much loved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Una’s family recall a woman who loved the company of others but in the last months of her life she was deprived of the human contact she so cherished.

It serves as a stark reminder of the heartbreaking impact Covid-19 is having on the families of those who have lost loved ones during the pandemic, who cannot say goodbye the way they want to and are unable to hold onto those they love one last time.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, Una’s family reminisced about the good times they had with her: “Mum looked forward to daily visits and a coffee with her daughter, Arlene and at weekends with her daughter, Sharon.

“Visits were a wonderful way to reminisce and always were accompanied by mum being her impish self. She was a warm hearted woman who loved nothing more than the company of family and friends.”

Nearly all of her 95 years were spent in Lisbellaw where for most of that she was active in village life.

“For over 30 years she, her parents and later with our dad’s help, ran a village shop which was literally “open all hours”, closed only four days a year at Christmas and Easter.

“She was a much treasured only child, but as her father was part of the large Foster clan, she had over 30 first cousins and was never lonely. She always had a twinkle in her blue eyes, and a sense of fun which never left her, becoming a bit less inhibited in later years.”

Remembering the comfort the family felt from the huge turnout for their father Davy’s funeral, they are saddened that the same send off could not be given to their mother.

“When Covid-19 ended our mother’s life it also took from us the chance to celebrate her life in the traditional manner.

“When our father died our grief was lightened by the comfort we got from his wake, people visiting his home, friends and neighbours bringing cakes and sandwiches, his local church packed for his funeral, many able to attend the graveside and tributes from The British Legion at the grave. Afterwards the funeral tea was a unique opportunity for family, friends and neighbours to meet up, sometimes not having seen each other for years, and share many happy memories of Davy Ellis, a man universally liked and known far and wide as a great teller of yarns and corny jokes.

“It is very sad that none of this is possible for our mother, who deserved it just as much.”

They know they are not in a unique position and that there have been many families in the same situation due to the pandemic. But it does not make it any easier for them.

“We know that we are by no means the only family affected by the Covid restrictions, and that for some in the early stages of the pandemic it was much worse. But it is still hard not to have been able to embrace her, to hug and comfort each other or to meet up anywhere together.”

Close family members were present at a brief, socially distanced graveside funeral on Wednesday and it was one thing that has helped the family through their grief.

“Several things have helped us through. We have been hugely comforted by the flood of messages of sympathy and online tributes to our mother. We will always be grateful for the compassionate care she received from the dedicated staff of Millcroft Nursing Home, particularly during the pandemic, and for arranging for Arlene and Sharon to be present with full PPE and no contact with their mother at the end.

Una’s family also paid tribute to the work and sensitivity of Funeral Director, Austen Stinson, and The Reverend Colin Brownsmith, standing in during the vacancy at Lisbellaw Parish, who enabled the family to make the graveside funeral a short but poignant goodbye to a much loved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved company and to be deprived of this contact in her final months was heartbreaking. She was a loving, kind woman. To not to be able to hold her at the end of her life is a cruelty no family should have to go through.”

Una Ellis was the beloved wife of the late Davy Ellis, dearly loved mother of Gary, Colin, Arlene and Sharon and much loved mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother. She is lovingly remembered by her family and all the family circle. Funeral arrangements by WT Morrison, Funeral Directors.