Asthma kills mum of two Donna Stonehouse
Nov 15 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal
A TYNESIDE mother died from an asthma attack – just months after her daughter saved her life.
In April eight-year-old Ellie Warnes was praised by paramedics after she alerted emergency services when mum Donna Stonehouse suffered an attack.
But on Monday the mother-of-two died despite the efforts of long-term partner Keith Warnes, 43, to save her life.
And now Donna’s family have vowed to dedicate this year’s Christmas celebrations to her.
Her mother, Barbara Stonehouse, said: “It was only seven months ago that she died for eight minutes and was brought back to life after Ellie did everything right and pressed her panic button that automatically gets in touch with the ambulance service.
“Donna was in intensive care and they said it was a text book miracle how she came back to life and Ellie was our little hero.
“But now Ellie and her sister Madison are faced with this. Ellie knows and wants to still celebrate her mummy’s birthday next Wednesday and on that day we will put up the Christmas tree – just like we’ve always done.
“I didn’t want to have the funeral on her 34th birthday so that will take place the day before.”
Ellie will attend the funeral service at St Stephen’s Church, Lawe Top, South Shields, next week, along with sister Madison, four. They will hold Donna’s birthday party the following day at the family home in Ribblesdale, Wallsend.
Donna, who had two brothers, Jay and Dean, was born 11 weeks premature and had suffered from asthma since she was a baby.
Her attacks were of the worst kind and she was deemed as high risk.
She met Keith when she left Mortimer Comprehensive School in South Shields and went to work in what was then the Co-op superstore at Simonside in the town.
They later moved to North Tyneside and their daughters are at Redesdale Primary School, Hadrian Park.
Barbara, of Coston Drive, South Shields, said: “She was bubbly, popular, sociable – a perfect daughter and she lived for her children.
“We had been out shopping only days before and Donna had bought Ellie’s and Madison’s Christmas presents. She loved Christmas and we will celebrate it as a family and she will be with us on the day.”
Donna’s dad Ronnie said: “It is very difficult to put into words how we feel but she was our pride and joy.”
Brother Dean, of South Shields, said: “She was the perfect sister. We are all devastated.”
