Australians who died with Covid-19 as nation hits grim milestone of 1000 deaths
Australia has recorded more than 1000 deaths from Covid-19. These are just some of the people who have lost their lives.
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Australia has recorded more than 1000 deaths on Monday, after an Aboriginal man in his 50s became the first Indigenous Australian to die from Covid-19.
The man from Dubbo was among several Aboriginal people with Covid-19 treated in Dubbo hospital since the virus spread to western NSW on August 11. He died in the past 24 hours.
NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said he had “significant underlying health conditions”.
He was unvaccinated.
“Our sincere sympathies and thoughts go out to the family, friends, and broader Aboriginal community across Dubbo and the whole of the region,” said Scott McLachlan, chief executive of the Western NSW Local Health District.
The national death toll now stands at 1003. Across the world there have been 4.5 million deaths from Covid-19.
Here are some of the Australians who have tragically lost their lives to Covid:
NSW
IANETA ISAAKO, 30
Mother-of-three Ianeta Isaako, 30, was found unresponsive at her home in Emerton, in western Sydney, just days after testing positive to the virus in August, 2021.
It is understood her condition deteriorated quickly and despite the best efforts of paramedics, she could not be resuscitated.
She was the youngest woman to die with Covid in NSW.
Her husband, who also contracted the virus, and was fighting for his life in hospital when she passed away.
JANET LIEBEN, 67
Janet Lieben, died in ICU at Orange Base Hospital, in central-west NSW in April last year, after contracting Covid while she was a passenger on the Ruby Princess cruise ship.
The grandmother had been on the 11-day round trip to New Zealand with her husband Jerry, who also battled the deadly virus. Mr Lieben survived.
OSAMA SUDUH, 15
Smiling teen Osama Suduh from Sydney’s southwest died of pneumococcal meningitis while infected with Covid, making him the youngest Australian to die while battling the virus.
It is not clear if he caught Covid before or after developing the other condition.
KAT DITTHAVONG, 80
Kat Ditthavong was among five deaths linked to a Covid cluster at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney’s southwest in August, 2021.
Until the outbreak, the grandfather-of-eight had returned daily negative tests.
However, after Mr Ditthavong tested positive at the end of July, his situation quickly deteriorated and he died a week later after contracting the virus while in hospital.
SAEEDA AKOBI JJOU STU, 57
Saeeda Akobi Jjou Stu died at her home in Sydney’s southwest in July, 2021.
The mother-of-five, who was found dead at her home in Green Valley, was the fifth person to die in the latest NSW outbreak.
Her husband Adel Shawka also had the virus when his wife passed away.
Saeeda was also the mother of two removalists, Roni and Ramsin Shawka, 27, who are facing criminal charges for allegedly travelling to the state’s west while infected with Covid.
AUDE ALASKAR, 27
Aude Alaskar died “suddenly” at his home in Warwick Farm, in Sydney’s southwest, in August, 2021 while on day 13 of his home isolation after testing positive to the virus.
The forklift driver, who was newly married, had complained of fatigue before deteriorating rapidly and collapsing in the bathroom of his home, despite daily checks by NSW Health staff.
He is survived by his distraught wife Yasmin, who did test positive for the virus. She is now Covid-free.
ADRIANA MIDORI TAKARA, 38
Adriana Midori Takara died in July, 2021, at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney’s inner west, ten days after contracting the virus.
The Brazilian national had no underlying health conditions, but her condition deteriorated quickly after contracting the Delta strain.
Ms Midori’s boyfriend, Chef Khalid, recovered from Covid but struggled with feelings of guilt for surviving the life-threatening disease when his girlfriend did not.
ALICE BACON, 93
Alice Bacon became the 19th person to die at Anglicare’s Newmarch House in Sydney’s west, after contracting coronavirus in April, 2020.
Ms Bacon, who was also battling terminal cancer, died in May and became the 100th coronavirus death in Australia, and 49th in NSW.
RAYMOND JENNINGS, 93
Raymond Jennings was the first coronavirus death recorded at Anglicare’s Newmarch House in Sydney’s west.
Mr Jennings died in April 2020 at the facility and had already been suffering from serious health issues before contracting the virus.
The aged care facility has been the source of the nation’s second-biggest coronavirus cluster after an employee worked six shifts over five days while unknowingly infected.
ANN FAHEY, 76
Ann Fahey died 72 hours after finding out she had the virus while at Anglicare’s Newmarch House in Sydney’s west, in April, 2020.
Ms Fahey, who had tested twice negative to the deadly disease, became the 14th person to have died from Covid at the aged care facility.
RON FARRELL, 94
Ron Farrell died without knowing he had the virus while at Anglicare’s Newmarch House in Sydney’s west, in April, 2020.
Mr Farrell contracted coronavirus at the facility, his home for the previous seven years, before testing positive to the disease and dying seven days later.
He leaves behind seven kids, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, even great-great grandchildren.
LEONE CORRIGAN, 89
Leone Corrigan died in her room at the Newmarch House aged care facility, in Sydney’s west, in April, 2020.
The mother-of-eight had lived at the home for six years before she passed away.
BLANCHE BILLINGHURST, 89
Blache Billinghurst died at the Newmarch House aged care facility in Sydney’s west in April, 2020.
She was the seventh resident to die from the virus amid an outbreak at the nursing home.
ACT
MIKE SACLIER, 82
Mike Saclier died in April, 2020 after contracting coronavirus while on a trip to the shops.
Mr Saclier, who was married for over 50 years, became ill suddenly and was admitted to hospital before he died seven days later.
VICTORIA
ELAINE CAIRNS, 78
Elaine Cairns died in hospital in April, 2020, after she returned from an overseas holiday and tested positive to Covid.
She was a dedicated volunteer at the Mornington Railway Preservation Society.
SUMITH PREMACHANDRA, 55
Sumith Premachandra passed away at Dandenong Hospital, Melbourne, in April, 2020, only days after being diagnosed with coronavirus.
The father-of-two and grandfather was a frontline healthcare worker in the disability sector.
He was farewelled by his family behind the glass of an intensive care unit ward.
ALF JORDAN, 90
Alf Jordan died in hospital in July, 2020, after falling ill at a Glendale Aged Care in Werribee, Melbourne.
He was diagnosed with coronavirus just three days before his death.
The father and stepfather to 12 children — and grandfather and great-grandfather to more than four dozen — had turned 90 just two months before his death.
MARION SCOTT, 82
Marion Scott died at the Frankston Hospital south of Melbourne after contracting Covid in April, 2020.
Mrs Scott was hospitalised ten days after attending a radiology centre for a hip scan. A number of staff members from the centre had tested positive to Covid.
She was Victoria’s twelfth casualty.
GIUSEPPE FRANZONI, 84
Giuseppe Franzoni died at Sunshine Hospital in Melbourne in April, 2020.
He fought the virus for a fortnight before he died.
The grandfather’s family said they were forced to watch their beloved father take his final breaths on FaceTime as he succumbed to the deadly virus.
HARALAMBOS BAKIRTZIDIS, 79
Haralambos Bakirtzidis died at Footscray Hospital, in Melbourne, in July, 2020, after falling ill with Covid.
He spent the next 11 days on a ventilator struggling to breathe.
The father-of-three, who was married for almost 60 years was weeks away from marking his 80th birthday.
RONALD HORTON, 88
Ronald Horton died in July, 2020, two days after he was hospitalised with Covid.
Married for 67 years, he leaves behind five children, 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
EMMA KOTSAKIS, 93
Emma Kotsakis, a resident at Glendale Aged Care in Werribee, Melbourne, which was linked to more than 80 cases, died just a week after being diagnosed with Covid in July, 2020.
The grandmother of five and great grandmother of four was diagnosed with the virus just days after her 93rd birthday, before she lost her battle with the illness.
EVELYN DIBBS, 103
Evelyn Dibbs, Australia’s oldest coronavirus victim, died in the Royal Melbourne Hospital in July, 2020, where she volunteered for 36 years.
Mrs Dibbs — who would have turned 104 in October, 2020 — had four grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
CARMEN MICALLEF, 92
Carmen Micallef tested positive to Covid at Werribee’s Glendale aged care facility, Melbourne, in August, 2020, before she passed away less than 48 hours later.
Ms Micallef had lived at the aged care home for almost a decade before she died.
CHARLIE MICALLEF, 87
Charlie Micallef died in the Royal Melbourne Hospital in August, 2020, just 31 hours after his wife Carmen Micallef died at Werribee’s Glendale aged care facility.
Though the pair had been divorced for some time, they died from two different known clusters of the virus.
PROFESSOR MARGOT PRIOR, 83
Professor Margot Prior died in Melbourne in August, 2020, after contracting the coronavirus.
The mother-of-three and stepmother to four had been living at an aged care for the past year before she died.
Prof Prior was a psychology professor and was named Victoria’s Senior of the Year for her work in autism and childhood mental health.
FRANK BREW, 92
Frank Brew died at the Austin Hospital, in Melbourne, in August, 2020, about two weeks after being diagnosed with Covid.
Mr Brew who played 87 games with South Melbourne and was curator for 30 years at Carlton — and a star cricketer who played alongside Bill Lawry.
He had two daughters, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
GELY COSTANILLA, 84
Gely Costanilla died at Casey Hospital, in Melbourne, in April, 2020.
Ms Costanilla had contracted Covid after her son-in-law, who she lived with along with her daughter, fell ill while self-isolating at the home after he returned from a work conference in South Africa.
Ms Costanilla died six days after contracting the virus while she was on the phone to her daughter who was also battling the virus in the hospital.
MALAMA VALKANIDIS, 83
Malama Valkanidis had lived at St Basil’s Homes, in Fawkner, for 16 years before she died in August, 2020.
The mother- of-two sons and four grandchildren, was diagnosed with Covid but showed no symptoms.
She did not reach her 84th birthday.
ILIAS TAKIS, 81
Ilias Takis died at St Basil’s Homes, in Fawkner in July, 2020 after he tested positive to the virus four days earlier.
Mr Takis, who was born in Greece and immigrated to Australia becoming a citizen in 1985, is survived by seven children and his wife Aristea.
BORO PETKOVIC, 82
Boro Petkovic died at St Basil’s Homes, in Fawkner in July, 2020.
The news had come as a shock to Mr Petkovic’s family, who had previously been their father, who had been diagnosed with Covid, was showing no significant sign of the virus.
VASILIKI PATSAKOS, 85
Vasiliki Patsakos, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, died at St Basil’s Homes, in Fawkner in July, 2020.
In the lead up to her death, her family said she had been bed-bound for 10 days without a shower or proper food, water and administering of medication before she was transferred to a hospital.
GEORGE AKRITIDIS, AGE UNKNOWN
George Akritidis died in August, 2020, after contracting Covid at St Basil’s Homes in Fawkner.
His family said he had been bedridden since falling and breaking his hip three and a half years ago, was malnourished, dehydrated and neglected.
THEODOULA ANDREOU, 85
Theodoula Andreou died in hospital after contracting Covid at St Basil’s Homes, in Fawkner in July, 2020.
Family members said they were told by St Basil’s staff that Mrs Andreou was eating, drinking and “doing well” right up until the time she was admitted to hospital “at death’s door”.
The beloved great-grandmother was found to be dehydrated and starving, they claim, and died shortly after entering hospital.
PAVLOS DIMOTAKIS, 72
Pavlos Dimotakis died at Austin hospital 16 days after contracting Covid at St Basil’s Homes, in Fawkner, in July, 2020.
He fought the deadly virus for two weeks before his immune system gave up.
MARGARITA KARAHALIOS, AGE UNKNOWN
Margarita Karahalios died after contracting Covid at St Basil’s Homes, in Fawkner, in August, 2020.
Ms Karahalios had tested negative to Covid but was hospitalised after a fall, before she was released back to St Basil’s, where her worried son could not contact her or the staff, before she was transferred to a Frankston hospital.
GEORGIA MITSINIKOS, 87
Georgia Mitsinikos died at the Northern Hospital, in Melbourne, after contracting Covid at St Basil’s Homes, in Fawkner, in July, 2020.
The grandmother-of-seven, who had lived at the facility for two years, was only taken to the hospital the night before she died.
Her family believe those managing the Fawkner home didn’t take the virus seriously until it was out of control.
EFRAXIA GOLDING, 84
Efraxia Golding died in hospital after she contracted coronavirus at St Basil’s Homes, in Fawkner, in July, 2020.
She had been living at the aged care facility since 2011.
FOTINI ATZARAKIS, 77
Fotini Atzarakis died at the Austin Hospital, in Melbourne, after she contracted coronavirus at St Basil’s Homes, in Fawkner, in July, 2020.
Ms Atzarakis, battled the deadly virus for ten days. She entered the home for only a brief round of respite care in late June before she died a month later.
DIMITRIOS FOTIADIS, 79
Dimitrios Fotiadis died at Northern hospital, in Melbourne, a week after he contracted coronavirus at St Basil’s Homes, in Fawkner, in July, 2020.
Despite suffering from heart disease, Mr Fotiadis was in relatively good health before he contracted Covid.
JOHN DIMITRIOU, 73
John Dimitriou died alone in the Austin Hospital, in Melbourne, two weeks after contracting coronavirus at St Basil’s Homes, in Fawkner, in July, 2020.
Mr Dimitriou, who had lived at the home for two years, had dementia and was in a high-care unit within the facility when he contracted Covid.
He leaves behind nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
DIMITRIOS ROUSSOS, 96
Dimitrios Roussos died in hospital after contracting Covid at St Basil’s Homes, in Fawkner, in July, 2020.
The family of the much-love grandfather, who was born in Greece, said the facility had blood “on their hands”.
MARIJA RUKAVINA, 86
Marija Rukavina died at Epworth Hospital, in Melbourne, after contracting Covid at St Basil’s Homes, in Fawkner, in July, 2020.
The grandmother became infected during the troubled nursing home’s deadly second wave.
Mrs Rukavina’s family said they had gone five days without getting an update on her condition, before she died alone in the hospital.
MARIA VASILAKIS, 81
Maria Vasilakis died less than a week after she was diagnosed with Covid at St Basil’s Homes in Fawkner, in July, 2020.
The devastated family had only five minutes to farewell the mother-of-two and grandmother of five in the emergency department of the Northern Hospital before she passed away.
ILIAS TRIMBO, 81
Ilias Trimbo, who was married to Hrisoula for 53 years, died within a week of his wife after he contracted Covid at St Basil’s Homes in Fawkner, in July, 2020.
HRISOULA TRIMBO, 78
Hrisoula Trimbo, who was married to Ilias for 53 years, died after she contracted Covid at St Basil’s Homes in Fawkner, in July, 2020.
NICOLINA PINGIARO, 90
Nicolina Pingiaro died at Epworth hospital after contracting Covid at St Basil’s Home in Fawkner, in July, 2020.
The grandmother, who had been battling dementia, was transferred to the hospital after testing positive before her condition quickly deteriorated.
Her family said they were told several times that Ms Pingiaro was ‘doing fine’ prior to her death.
THEODOROS MAKRIDIS, 92
Theodoros Makridis passed away at the St Basil’s Home in Fawkner, in July, 2020.
Mr Makridis had been placed under the care of the nursing home a few weeks before his death after his health had worsened.
After he contracted the virus, his family said there was little communication. They never got to say goodbye to the father-of-two before he died.
NEVILLE VAUGHAN, 80
Neville Vaughan died at St Basil’s nursing home alone after contracting the coronavirus.
ARHONDIA SAVVA, AGE UNKNOWN
Arhondia Savva died at St Basil’s nursing home as a result of COVID-19.
PAUL BARBOUSSAS, 79
Paul Barboussas died at the Northern Hospital, in Melbourne, after contracting Covid at St Basil’s Homes, in Fawkner, in July, 2020.
His children had received a call from the home and were told their father was isolating in his room. About 24 hours later they received another call and were told the same thing.
However, Mr Barboussas only had about a day to live. He passed away on his granddaughter’s birthday.
ANNA BARBOUSSAS, 81
Anna Barboussas, 81, who also lived at St Basil’s nursing home died as well from Covid.
CONCETTA MINEO, 89
Concetta Mineo died during the second wave that swept Melbourne in July, 2020, after she caught Covid at the Epping Gardens Aged Care home.
Her family say the great-grand-mother died because “she was neglected”.
There were 38 residents who died at the aged care home during the outbreak.
CARMELA AGNELLO, 92
Carmela Agnello died at the Northern Hospital, in Melbourne, after she contracted Covid at the Epping Gardens Aged Care home in July, 2020.
Her family, who farewelled her before she passed away, said Mrs Angello was alone and confused as she took her final breath.
The 92-year-old leaves behind two children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
OLGA BOYLE, 88
Olga Boyle, 88, died after she contracted Covid at the Epping Gardens Aged Care home in July, 2020.
The great-grandmother’s family said she deserved “so much more” than what she got in the lead up to her death.
SAM SCICLUNA, 85
Sam Scicluna died after he contracted Covid at the Epping Gardens Aged Care home in July, 2020.
The grandfather had lost his wife Carmen to Alzheimer’s disease, two years before he died during the outbreak at the facility.
ANTONIO CROCE, 81
Antonio Croce was one of the first residents to be diagnosed with Covid at the Epping Gardens Aged Care home in July, 2020.
Mr Croce’s family farewelled him through FaceTime, who they say was in pain in his final moments, before he died alone at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
DANICA STEFANOVSKA, 89
Danica Stefanovska died after she contracted Covid at the Epping Gardens Aged Care home in July, 2020.
Her grandson said she loved her life which caused her to worry about her death, adding the much-loved grandmother believed she would live to 100.
HENRY TAYLOR, 88
Henry Taylor died after he contracted Covid at the Epping Gardens Aged Care home in July, 2020.
The grandfather, who grew up in an orphanage, was remembered for never missing a milestone for his grandchildren.
MAUREEN BATTISTA, 73
Maureen Battista died after she contracted Covid at the Epping Gardens Aged Care home in July, 2020.
The grandmother was always known for being family-orientated, and spent most of her time with her children and grandchildren.
SAM TROPEA, 71
Sam Tropea died after he contracted Covid at the Epping Gardens Aged Care home in July, 2020.
His daughter remembers her father for passing on a strong work ethic to his children after a career in the building industry, including time as a crane driver.
JOYCE SCIPIONE, 76
Joyce Scipione died after she contracted Covid at the Epping Gardens Aged Care home in July, 2020.
Her family remembered Ms Scipione as spending most of her time caring for others.
ZISIS IOANOU, 80
Zisis Ioanou died after he contracted Covid at the Epping Gardens Aged Care home in July, 2020.
The grandfather was remembered for his close bond with his grandchildren, who regularly visited him at the home.
KATHLEEN GRIBBLE, 75
Kathleen Gribble died after she contracted Covid at the Epping Gardens Aged Care home in July, 2020.
Her family said Mrs Gribble, who always wanted to spend time with her family, should have had “plenty of years” ahead of her before her life was cut short from the deadly outbreak.
She said her final goodbye to her family via Zoom while in hospital.
STELLA GALEA, 89
Stella Galea died after she contracted Covid at the Epping Gardens Aged Care home in July, 2020.
The grandmother of eight was remembered for her three big passions, including gardening, cooking and spending time with her grandchildren.
CAROL HALLEY, 75
Carol Halley died after she contracted Covid at the Epping Gardens Aged Care home in July, 2020.
The family had said goodbye to the mother and grandmother over FaceTime. She died on her granddaughter Indiana’s 8th birthday.
HELEN WILSON, 69
Helen Wilson died after she contracted Covid at the Epping Gardens Aged Care home in July, 2020.
Her family remembered her as a determined lady who was still using her computer months before she died, even though she was legally blind.
ALEXANDROS ALEXIOU, 89
Alexandros Alexiou died in hospital after he contracted Covid at the Epping Gardens Aged Care home in July, 2020.
His family said it wasn’t fair his life ended the way it did, as he died alone without his family by his side.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
JAMES KWAN, 78
James Kwan was the first person in Australia to die in March, 2020, after being diagnosed with Covid.
The Perth man was a passenger on board the Diamond Princess, a cruise ship that was forced to quarantine in the Japanese port of Yokohama in February, 2020.
He was transported home to Australia before he was diagnosed while isolating in Howard Springs, Northern Territory. He was then moved to a Perth hospital where died.
RAY DANIELS, 73
Ray Daniels died at Joondalup Health Campus, in Western Australia, in March, 2020, after being diagnosed with Covid.
Mr Daniels showed no real significant signs of being unwell until he collapsed at his home. He died within 48 hours.
QUEENSLAND
GARRY KIRSTENFELDT, 68
Garry Kirstenfeldt, was the second person to die in Queensland with Covid in March, 2020, after he became infected while on the Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas cruise ship in Sydney.
Mr Kirstenfeldt, who had underlying health conditions before contracting the virus, was being treated in the intensive care unit at Toowoomba Hospital before he died.
His wife, Jennifer, and two of his daughters had also tested positive for Covid at the time, but they recovered.
KARLA LAKE, 75
Karla Lake died in a Caboolture hospital, in Queensland, after she contracted Covid while on the Ruby Princess cruise ship in March, 2020.
Her husband, who also had Covid but recovered, was in the hospital room when his wife passed away, ten days after leaving the cruise.
The pair had been aboard the Ruby Princess, celebrating Mrs Lake’s 75th birthday.
DES WILLIAMS, 85
Des Williams died in Toowoomba Hospital, in Queensland, after he contracted Covid while on the Ruby Princess cruise ship in April, 2020.
The grandfather and his wife Bev were among more than 2700 passengers controversially allowed to disembark the Ruby Princess in March last year while coronavirus tests were pending.
The couple were on their 11th cruise together in 23 years of marriage.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
FRANCESCO FERRARO, 75
Francesco Ferraro died at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and was the state’s first recorded Covid death in April, 2020.
His family said Mr Ferraro had attended a family function interstate in March, 2020 and began to feel unwell when he returned.
He was a father to three children and grandfather to eight.
ROGER LEANEY, 74
Roger Leaney died after contracting coronavirus on the ill-fated Ruby Princess ship in April, 2020.
The father-of-two, and grandfather of four was one of two Adelaide passengers who died after travelling on the ship.
MALCOLM TODD, 76
Malcolm Todd died at the Royal Adelaide Hospital’s intensive care unit, after acquiring Covid from a group of Swiss tourists in the Barossa Valley in April, 2020.
Mr Todd, who marked his wedding anniversary four days before he died, travelled to the winery to visit his eldest son who was a leading Switzerland-based chef.
While his son, who hosted the food and wine tour group didn’t contract Covid, Mr Todd was among a cluster of 40 coronavirus cases linked to the Barossa tour.
He leaves behind six grandchildren, his three stepchildren and his wife of 32 years, Sandi, 74.
LINDA LAVENDER, 62
Linda Lavender became South Australia’s first Covid death linked to the ill-fated Ruby Princess cruise ship in April, 2020.
She lost her five-day fight for life in the Royal Adelaide Hospital’s intensive care unit.
The grandmother died just weeks after renewing her wedding vows with husband Stephen aboard the deadly cruise ship.
TASMANIA
BILL BRACKEN, 80
Bill Bracken died in April, 2020, after he contracted Covid while onboard the Ruby Princess.
He spent nine days on a ventilator with no improvement, before his family made the heartbreaking decision to turn the machine off.
LENNY FISHER, 81
Lenny Fisher died at the Royal Hobart hospital after he contracted coronavirus on the ill-fated Ruby Princess ship in March, 2020.
He was onboard the ship with his partner Maureen Dawes, 77, for 11 days along with friends and 2700 other passengers.
But days after the pair came home to Tasmania, Mr Fisher, a retired bus depot manager, became sick.
Ms Dawes sat next to his hospital bed, unable to hold his hand or kiss him goodbye as he died from coronavirus.
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