Family mourns untimely death from COVID-19 of nurse in UK

CANDIJAY, Bohol –– The family of a female nurse who succumbed to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the United Kingdom mourned her untimely death.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Pacita Timario-Bersamin upon learning of her daughter’s death.

Estrella Bersamin-Catalan, 52, died of COVID-19 last Friday at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), where she had worked for almost two decades as a staff nurse of the emergency department.

“She’s a very good daughter. I’m proud of her,” said Pacita of Estrella, her second child.

Pacita, 80, lost her husband when Estrella and her brother Josue were teenagers, making her a widow early in her life.

Her firstborn Josue also died, and with the death of Estrella, Pacita is now left alone.

Estrella finished her nursing studies at the University of Bohol in 1988. She worked in a hospital in Pasay and in the Middle East, where she met her husband, Engr. Melvin Catalan, who hailed from La Carlota City, Negros Oriental.

They have three sons- Christian John, Vincent, and Josh. Vincent died two years ago.

Estrella’s last visit to Bohol was in 2018.

On Monday (Tuesday in the Philippines), more than 100 hospital staff paid tribute to Estrella.

Her husband Melvin and sons John and Josh joined colleagues in the snow outside the hospital for a moment of silence.

While Estrella’s colleagues, friends, and family paid tribute to her in the UK, Pacita lit a candle for Estrella on a small altar inside their house in Barangay Tugas in Candijay town.

Estrella was one of the front-liners in the health and care sector who died while carrying out their professional duties. She lost her life while caring for and protecting patients with compassion, skill, and dedication.

Pacita urged other people to follow the health protocols as she described how COVID-19 “ravaged” her family.

She hopes Estrella’s death would help raise awareness of the virus.

Edited by LZB