Family’s heartbreak as ‘bubbly’ mother died after choking on food while cooking dinner in front of her partner and young children.
Support worker Siobhan Rose Simmonds, 33, was discovered on the kitchen floor after she collapsed while preparing a meal for her family at their home in Dover, Kent, on February 24.
Spent 7 Days in Coma
Ms Simmonds, known to loved ones as ‘Bon’ and ‘Bonnie’, was rushed to William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, but passed away on March 1 after spending a week in a coma.
Her family said they were ‘so proud’ of their ‘blue-eyed girl’ after they discovered that she was registered as an organ donor when she died.
John Simmonds, her father, said: ‘She was so lovely, she was so bubbly, would help anybody. Everybody tried to help her survive but she just choked. It could happen to anybody.
Her Family Witnessed it All
Ms Simmonds’ partner, his son and her two-year-old daughter witnessed the tragic incident and said their ‘whole world has come crashing down’.
After spending a week in hospital, the family were told she would not be able to survive.
Shocked relatives and friends have launched a crowdfunder to help Ms Simmonds’ family.
It has already smashed the £3,000 target and relatives said they were ‘proud’ of her decision to donate seven of her organs to help other people.
She Died a Organ Donor
Ms Simmonds, also a mother to a 14-year-old boy, had expressed her wish to donate her organs on at least four occasions.
After being made aware at the hospital, the family agreed to the decision, with Ms Simmonds entering theatre for organ removal surgery on March 2.
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Her sister, Julie Barrett, said she was ‘devastated’ by the tragedy.
But she added: ‘We’re so proud of her. It’s the one thing that’s made us happy from all this.’
Her heart, two kidneys, liver, pancreas and both corneas were transported to various recipients across the country.
Ms Simmonds’ father added that because she had donated so many organs, it was as if ‘out there somewhere, she’s still walking’.
