A FAMILY has said their pain is “unreal” after a mum and her son both died after catching Covid-19.
Eamon Burt, 62 and his mum Kathleen Burt, 80, from Manchester died within hours of each other.
Eamon’s devastated brother Paul, from Gorton, recalled the moment he was told about his brother’s death, he told Manchester Evening News: “I got a phone call from the hospital saying Eamon had gone.
“I thought ‘this can’t be happening’. I’d had a phone call two hours before to say my mum had died.
“It just wobbled us as a unit.
“They were the glue of the family. My brother looked after us all.
It doesn’t seem real, it really doesn’t. What compounds it is that you feel like the whole world is grieving with you.
“My mum looked after us all her life. They were both lovable characters.”
Their loved ones said the pain feels “unreal” but have taken comfort in knowing Eamon and Kathleen are now together.
Like many grieving families, Paul will not be able to give his brother and mum a deserving funeral due to lockdown restrictions.
“There will be no chapel of rest, no home visits to hug it all out. You can’t all cry together.
“I can’t see my dad, I have got him crying on the phone, and my brothers and sisters” he said.
Kathleen, known as Kitty to those who knew her, had been following self isolation rules for weeks before she fell ill.
In the days before her death she began to feel unwell, before taking herself to hospital when her coronavirus symptoms worsened.
The grandmother of 21 passed away on the day she was admitted to Manchester Royal Infirmary.
Her son, Eamon, who suffered with heart problems, was in hospital for several days before he died.
He was taken to Royal Oldham Hospital after having trouble with his breathing and had a temperature.
His son Darren said that he was feeling positive when he was told by doctors that his dad was making progress.
But he began to worry when his dad’s WhatsApp messages began to stop.
His condition worsened as he battled the virus and was put on oxygen.
Paying tribute to his brother, Paul said: “He was the best brother – he was like my legend. He loved all of his sons. I feel like he was robbed.”
Eamon’s son Darren said: “It doesn’t seem real, it really doesn’t. What compounds it is that you feel like the whole world is grieving with you.”
Kathleen and Eamon were born in Ireland and moved over to Manchester in the late 50s.
Eamon’s son Darren said his dad was his “hero” and how he has so many fond memories of his gran Kathleen.
Darren said that he and the family will take peace from the fact that his dad and gran are now together.
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