Gold Coast great-grandmother spending Mother’s Day in isolation but she won’t be alone

Due to coronavirus restrictions Jan Sugg can't take her 95-year-old mum out of her aged care facility for a Mother’s Day brunch — but she’ll still be showing she cares. Here’s how.

JAN Sugg can’t take her 95-year-old mum Beryl out of her retirement village for their annual Mother’s Day brunch tomorrow because of coronavirus restrictions.

But she will slip her a few of her favourite treats under the gate to make up for it.

“It’s very tough on mum being in a nursing home right now because I’m her only relative who lives in Queensland. All the rest live across the border,” Ms Sugg said.

Jan Sugg will be visiting her mother Beryl Wilesmith, 95, at Opal Kirra Beach Aged Care, through the gate on Mother's Day. Picture: Jerad Williams

“My sister, my daughter and my grandchildren used to visit her once a week and take her coffee and keep her company.

“Usually staff have time to sit down and have a chat but because they’re so busy at the moment it’s harder for them to do that now.

“While she’s still very well looked after, she’s finding it very lonely and says the situation at the moment is reminding her of the war.”

Jan Sugg and her mother Beryl Wilesmith, 95. Picture: Jerad Williams

Beryl Wilesmith was a seamstress in the war and lived alongside husband Russell at Opal Kirra Beach Aged Care until he passed away five years ago. They were married for more than 70 years.

Ms Sugg, of Merrimac, said her mother had three children, seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren and sadly most would miss out on seeing her on Mother’s Day.

“But I’ll visit Mum (tomorrow) and take a chair down to the end room and maybe slide her a few treats under the gate and she can sit on the other side of the fence and we’ll have a good chat,” she said.