Family speaks after losing beloved grandma to coronavirus
The family of a Geelong grandmother who died after contracting coronavirus has told of the “awful” final hours farewelling the 76-year-old, with loved ones stranded overseas unable to say goodbye.
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The family of a Geelong grandmother who died after contracting coronavirus has told of the “awful” final hours farewelling the 76-year-old while decked out in personal protective equipment, with loved ones stranded overseas unable to say goodbye.
Rose Nearn has been remembered as a selfless and tough woman committed to giving back.
Mrs Nearn diedon Friday, August 21, at Opal South Valley aged care facility in Highton — one of eight residents from the home who have died after contracting coronavirus.
She was born on a farm in Ireland in 1944, and moved to London in the early 1960s before emigrating to Australia with her husband Roland.
Mr and Mrs Nearn and their two children Richard and Lynette established a life in Chelsea Heights in Melbourne’s southeast.
Richard remembered his mum as an amazing cook and generous host, famous for her elaborate Sunday night dinners and legendary Christmas puddings.
She lived to look after her husband and kids, and volunteered at the local church and aged-care facilities.
In 2008, Mr Nearn was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given six months to live.
He battled on until 2013, but the ordeal took a toll on Mrs Nearn.
A week after her husband died, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
In 2015, no longer able to live by herself, she moved to Opal South Valley, where she could be close to her son and his family, who live in Waurn Ponds.
While it took some time, Mrs Nearn adjusted to life in aged care, and became very active within the centre, walking the corridors with her friends and singing in the choir.
Richard, 55, said the staff were very supportive of his mum as her condition deteriorated. As her memory faded, so did her ability to function physically, and over the past 12 months, she struggled to walk, talk coherently, or feed herself.
Her family feared that if COVID-19 struck Opal South Valley and Mrs Nearn contracted the virus, the much-loved matriarch would not survive.
Richard and wife Kymm were by Mrs Nearn’s side during her final 24 hours, wearing full personal protective equipment.
Richard said his mother was unable to speak or move.
They sat there on a Zoom call with his sister Lynette, who now lives in the US and was unable to return to Australia to be by her mother’s side.
“It was just awful,” Richard said.
He said having been at Opal South Valley for more than five years, Mrs Nearn was “part of the furniture”.
“We knew the staff well, and many tears were shed when mum finally lost her battle,” he said.
“Mum was a fighter, though, a tough farm girl at heart who loved her family and the community around her.
“She will be missed, and left a mark on those that she met.”
Originally published as Family speaks after losing beloved grandma to coronavirus