Queensland’s Ruby Boston, 5, dies with Covid-19 after battling rare disease for years

Ruby Boston’s older sister has described how ‘perfect’ she was as family and friends paid an emotional tribute to the beautiful girl who died with Covid-19 earlier this month.

A grieving Sunshine Coast mother says she will always treasure the unconditional love between two sisters as she mourns the loss of her youngest daughter, Ruby Boston.

Mum Ashleigh McCosker said her two daughters shared a special bond with Ruby always tugging at sister Sienna’s hair and grabbing her arm to get a little closer.

Friends, family and Okinja Early Learning Centre educators and children paid an emotional tribute to Ruby, 5, at her funeral on Friday.

Her coffin was adorned with butterflies and surrounded by pink, purple, yellow and blue balloons.

Ruby was the first child to die with Covid-19 in Queensland but her loved ones are determined she is remembered for her bright personality, not as a statistic.

The girl with a smile that lit up a room left a lasting legacy after bravely fighting cockayne syndrome Type 2.

The rare and incurable disease carries with it a life expectancy of up to seven years.

She was born prematurely with cataracts and also diagnosed with microcephaly.

Ms McCosker said while it meant Ruby was unable to walk or talk, she never lost her ability to smile and laugh.

Her sister Sienna spoke at Ruby’s funeral and said she loved how unique her sister was.

“You’re unique in your own kind of way but I knew I’d love you either way,” she said.

“I loved it when you pulled my hair and you did your little dance.

“I loved your smile.”

Ms McCosker said Ruby was “perfect” in her and Sienna’s eyes.

“Ruby was shown love everyday and I am blessed she was my daughter,” she said.

“I would rather endure this inexplicable pain outliving you than to have never seen your face and spoken your name.”

Ruby was ‘everyone’s friend’

Ms McCosker said she never wanted to bubble wrap her daughter for being different.

She said she was friends with everyone at Okinja Early Learning Centre where she started at nine months old and graduated last year.

“I know she has left her imprint on their little hearts forever,” Ms McCosker said.

“Thank you for allowing Ruby to teach your children just how special it is to be different.”

Assistant centre manager Hayley said they never had to teach children to be inclusive.

“They just knew,” she said.

“There are no words that can truly emphasise the bond shared between Ruby and her friends.

“She lit up the room and unbeknown to her she lit up our hearts.”

She said they would miss her smile, laugh and her wave as well as spending time with her outside on the play mats and seeing her cheeky grin when she was supposed to be sleeping during nap time.

Rare Diseases Day on February 28 will be known as Ruby’s Day at the centre from now on.

Ms McCosker said words could not express the gratitude she felt towards everyone who had supported her during the past few weeks.

She paid special thanks to Sunshine Coast University Hospital staff who treated her condition.

“When Ruby was admitted I always knew without doubt she was in the safest hands,” Ms McCosker said.

“You are angels placed on this earth and I am grateful.”

Ruby’s battle with Covid

Ruby caught Covid amid Queensland’s Omicron peak, before she was able to get vaccinated.

Her aunty, Lucinda Jeffery, said earlier this week that the Buderim family felt children, particularly those who were vulnerable, had been overlooked as part of the state’s reopening.

After contracting Covid three weeks ago Ruby’s health deteriorated rapidly on January 31.

Just 24 hours earlier she and her mum and sister, Sienna, 10, were at Lucinda’s family home.

The two families were playing in the pool while Ruby relaxed on a sun lounge.

The following day while struggling to breathe Ruby was rushed to Sunshine Coast University Hospital‘s paediatric intensive care unit where within hours she went into cardiac arrest.

She was resuscitated and placed on a ventilator so family and friends could say an emotional goodbye.

“It just happened so quickly,” Lucinda said.

“She was at our house with my family on the Sunday, lounging on the couch.

“She was such a character – she would lay there and then grab something and cover her head and we’d say, ‘Ruby are you hiding?’, and she would start laughing and show us her big smile.”

A Queensland Health spokesman said border restrictions remained in place until the “vast majority” received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccination.

“The death of any young person is an absolute tragedy and we extend our deepest condolences to the family,” he said.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration approved the Covid-19 vaccine for 5-11-year-olds on December 5 and the Commonwealth Government announced the rollout to children would begin on January 10.

Community support

A GoFundMe page has raised about $25,000 in four days for the family and her kindergarten Okinja Early Learning Centre at Alexandra Headland is dedicating Rare Diseases Day in her honour.

“We loved having her as part of our lives,” Lucinda said.

“Once upon a time I may have said having a child with a disability would be the hardest thing in the world – and while it’s hard it’s definitely not the worst.

“She was such a bright little button and ray of light, she taught us so much.

“We wouldn’t change a thing – only to have her around a little longer.”

She said money raised would help Ashleigh before she returns to work at Pub Mooloolaba and assist with funeral expenses.