Tributes paid to Derry mother who passed away from Covid

Heartbreaking news.

A woman has passed away days after giving birth to her daughter after contracting Covid-19. Samantha Willis, a 35-year-old mother from Derry, died on Friday after contracting the virus 16 days prior. Her daughter Eviegrace was born two weeks before. Samantha's husband Josh urged those eligible to get vaccinated after Samantha passed away in Altnagelvin Hospital. She was laid to rest today. Josh posted from his Signed Memorabilia business Twitter account, saying: "I spent hours in ICU on Thursday and Friday with my wife who passed away. It’s real, the numbers are real. Get your vaccine so you or your family don’t have to go through what I have had to." He said: "As I write this I am laying beside her. She is 35, unvaccinated and in a coffin. Let that sink in!" Tributes have been pouring in for the young mother after her death, with her family describing her as a "super hero" and "queen". Josh's tweet has seen hundreds of replies from strangers sending their condolences, with family and friends also contributing. https://twitter.com/Starsigned_Mem/status/1429256255726661639 A family notice reads: "Samantha Willis (nee Curran), 20th August 2021, Peacefully at Altnagelvin Hospital. "Beloved Wife of Josh and Loving Mother of Shéa, Holly, Lilyanna and Eviegrace. Dear Daughter of Mary and Laurence." Samantha's close friend Rosemarie Kemish also took to social media to pay her respects, saying: "This girl is the most beautiful, kindest, loving, selfless person I have ever met in my life. "I don’t know how I’m gonna function without her. That person u could say anything to & she would never judge u or see u any different. My heart is broken & I’ll never ever forget the amazing person she was. "Not only was she an amazing friend to me but a loving wife to Josh Willis & an ever better mother to her children. "There’s gonna be a massive hole in my life & I just hope she gives me the strength to say goodbye. She didn’t deserve this at all but now we will all have a beautiful angel looking over us. "My bestest friend sleep tight angel."