Devastated family of Padiham couple who died of Covid-19 within two days of each other hope tragedy will make people realise how deadly the virus is

A devoted couple, well known in the town where they lived for their kindness and community spirit, have died of Covid-19 within two days of each other.
A devoted couple who were married for 45 years, Keith and Kathleen Bradshaw died of covid within two days of each otherA devoted couple who were married for 45 years, Keith and Kathleen Bradshaw died of covid within two days of each other
A devoted couple who were married for 45 years, Keith and Kathleen Bradshaw died of covid within two days of each other

Kathleen Bradshaw died of the virus in the Royal Blackburn Hospital on Sunday, January 10th, and just two days later it claimed the life of Keith, her husband of 45 years.

And yesterday the government announced that since the start of the pandemic 100,000 people had lost their lives to Covid-19.

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The tragic deaths of the Padiham couple has prompted their devastated family to call for people to take coronavirus seriously.

Keith and Kathleen on their wedding day. They were due to celebrate 46 years of marriage in 2021.Keith and Kathleen on their wedding day. They were due to celebrate 46 years of marriage in 2021.
Keith and Kathleen on their wedding day. They were due to celebrate 46 years of marriage in 2021.

The couple's daughter, Jackie, said: "When are people going to realise that this virus is deadly?

"If what we have had to go through doesn't make them realise I don't know what it will take.

"My mum fought breast cancer in her 40s and in October last year she was diagnosed with spinal cancer.

"But it was covid that took her."

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Keith, who was 75, went into hospital with a water infection on New Year's Eve. As he had been displaying symptoms of the virus he had already been tested before he was admitted and found out he had coronavirus on New Year's Day.

Jackie said: "Dad was being treated for the water infection with antibiotics and medication but he was struggling with his breathing so they put him on oxygen in the ward.

"But it wasn't enough so the hospital rang to say he had been transferred to the intensive care unit where he was placed on a CPAP machine to help him breathe."

Brave Kathleen ,who was 78, was admitted to hospital on Tuesday, January 5th, three days after her covid test came back positive. Doctors wanted to check her bloods to make sure she could have her chemotherapy treatment. But sadly the virus took hold and Kathleen's condition deteriorated rapidly and she died of covid pneumonia.

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Jackie and her brothers, Malcolm and Robert, had to tell their father the heartbreaking news via a zoom call. Keith died the following day.

Jackie said: "The hospital contacted us to say there was nothing more they could do for dad and we were allowed to go in and see him.

"He told me how tired he felt so I held his hand and told him to just close his eyes as mum was waiting for him."

Now the family are planning a joint funeral for the couple this Friday at Burnley Crematorium.

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As numbers are restricted to 30, the service will be broadcast via zoom for those who cannot attend.

Jackie said: "My parents were both very kind and caring people who were like the hub of the community where they lived.

"They were always helping friends and neighbours with shopping and anything else they needed.

"They loved spending time with each other and they used to go out for lunch every Monday. And mum was devoted to her grandchildren and great grandchildren, she lived for the times with them."

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Keith was originally from Read and Kathleen was brought up in Cliviger. Keith spent the majority of his career working for the Milk Marketing Board and British Velvets in Padiham.

A devoted grandparent and great grandma, Kathleen 'lived' for her five grandchildren, Claire, Karl, Billy, Ben and Zac who she spent years caring for while their parents went to work. And Kathleen doted on the couple's five great grandchildren Olivia, Jessica Emily, Charlie and Darcie.

Kathleen later became a care worker at McAuley Mount in Burnley and also The Croft Care Home in Whalley. Both keen darts players, Keith also played bowls for Read.

Another of the couple's passions was holidays abroad and they had been to several destinations including India, Egypt and Portugal with Jackie and her husband Lez. This time five years ago the four were in Cape Verdi enjoying their last family holiday together.

Anyone who would like to watch the Bradshaws' funeral service is asked to go to https://www.wesleymedia.co.uk/webcast-view and use Login /Order ID 72452 with Password: wkbuvygd

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