Heartfelt tributes paid to ‘big sister and best friend’ who died with COVID-19

Countless tributes have poured in for Noleen Thompson - a mum-of-two - after she passed away last Wednesday.

The teaching assistant was found unresponsive by her partner Martin after testing positive for COVID-19.

Last night Caitlin Thompson in a tribute to her sister told the News Letter: “Noleen was amazing the most kind hearted girl you would of came across.

“She was my best friend we were never apart - you wouldn’t of seen one of us without the other as we were stuck at the hip.

“She was an amazing mother to her two boys Reece and Jacob and they just loved her so much.. and her partner Martin”.

And in a post online added earlier on Monday, Caitlin revealed her adoration for her sister and how she helped her in life.

“I only got through my life because of YOU.. you loved me looked after me made sure everyday I was ok,” she wrote.

“I was your person & you were Mine we were Inseparable I only ever needed you... when I had you I really did have everything..”

Caitlin also told of the generosity of her sister Noleen as “the most kind hearted loving girl I’ve ever met always giving & never wanting nothing in return”.

“You were the glue that held our whole family together without you I really don’t know how we’re gonna live on,” she wrote.

“I’m gonna miss you so much I already do.. I’ve so much bizz to tell you already I wish it was a dream noleen I really love you so much my twinny!!”.

The teaching assistant in St Clare’s primary school was said to be a very strict follower of the Covid guidance and someone who did everything that she could to follow the rules and try and keep her family safe.

Her Uncle Sean is reported as having said that Noleen was “the centre of their family’s world” due to her bubbly nature, compassion and willingness to do anything to help others.

He said: “On Wednesday, Martin found Noleen in bed not breathing and quickly rang the paramedics, but tragically she passed away.

“It was a shock to everybody, she is only 28 with the most beautiful personality you ever come across in your life. Her young partner Martin, he is only 26 and he is left with Reece, 8, and Jacob, 5, it is just heartbreaking for him.

“She was a big advocate for doing the right thing during the pandemic and followed all the rules. She had posters for the NHS in the windows and things for the kids on the fridge about the covid invasion to make it light hearted for them so it won’t scare them. She was trying to reassure them they will be fine and mum and daddy would be fine, but you never know what is round the corner.”

He added that “it will be a couple of weeks before we are able to hold a funeral for Noleen, and it has been so tough not being able to have her here with us so her boys could see her one last time”.

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