Described as wonderful, caring, and loved by all the people she met, UK-based Filipina nurse Estrella Catalan passed away last Feb. 5 at age 52 due to complications brought by the COVID-19 virus.
Since September 2002, Estrella was working at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH). There, she built a lasting legacy to her colleagues as a “conscientious and hardworking person a department could ask for.”
“Our deepest and heartfelt condolences are with Estrella’s loved ones and friends at this very difficult time and with all those who worked alongside Estrella and knew her,” Sam Higgins, chief executive of NNUH Foundation Trust, told BBC. “This is a heartbreaking reminder of the situation we are facing every day to help others and we want to thank our staff for their ongoing courage and commitment during the pandemic.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been organized to help Estrella’s family in their time of need. It’s been a tough couple of years for the family as they also suffered a great loss two years ago with the passing of their second son Vince. According to the campaign, she is survived by her husband Melvin and their sons John and Josh.
“Her selflessness and dedication carried on even when she was on her hospital bed, she still thought and talked about when she could go back to work to help patients and colleagues throughout this pandemic,” said Jenelyn Bales, organizer of the campaign. “Estrella promised her family, ‘I will be back’ when she was taken to the hospital few weeks ago. Sadly, a promise that she could no longer physically keep after succumbing to such devastating effects of this virus being treated in ITU (intensive treatment unit) for weeks.”
Rest now, Estrella.
Currently, the Help for Estrella Catalan's Family campaign has raised more than £30,000. You may visit it on GoFundMe.com to know more about its purpose and how you can donate.