Five children are left orphaned as both parents die just months apart

25 October 2023 , 09:32

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Paula pictured with Jon-Jo (Image: Supplied)

Five children have been left without parents in a double tragedy after their mum died from a stroke just a few months following their dad.

Paula Black, 39, from Hamilton, passed away four months after her husband Jon-Jo Terry, also 39, died of a heart attack. They leave behind their kids Chloe, 23, Shaun, 18, Kenzie, 16, Kevin, 12, and Caben, four.

She was taken to Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride after experiencing weakness in her right arm and leg. Paula then suddenly collapsed and was placed into a medically induced coma by doctors but was found to be brain dead on October 11.

Chloe, who will now take care of her siblings, has told has told how her mum was an "outgoing and caring soul" and that the family's world has "come crashing down".

Paula (L) and best pal Karen (R) (Handout)

Paula died after a stroke (Supplied)

Speaking to the Daily Record she said: "Heartbroken doesn't come close to describing how we as a family are feeling. Our mum lived for her kids. She spent every day working and spending it with us."

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She continued: "She was an incredible mum and gran to my daughter Romy, who she absolutely adored. She was the life and soul of any party and an outstanding friend. Anyone who knew my mum knew how much of a loving, outgoing and caring soul she was.

Chloe will now look after the other children (No credit)

"Me and my mum were more like sisters than mother and daughter. She was my best friend. Having her taken away from us so soon has been nothing short of heart wrenching."

A family friend, Karen Fleming, has started a fundraiser to help the children pay for the funeral and provide them with financial support. The 43-year-old said: "We're hoping to just take some of the stress away if we can by raising some money for them. They didn't even really have time to come to terms with losing their dad in June and now they've lost their mum as well."

Jon-Jo died of a heart attack (No credit)

"All Paula did was live and work for her kids. She made sure they wanted for nothing. She was so comical. She would come out with some absolute crackers. Her oldest daughter Chloe is like her best friend. They stayed in flats next to each other so they were together all the time. She's got to look after all her siblings now which is a lot to take on at 23.

"But she's just like her mum - a strong, independent woman. She's got a lot of support around her but it's still a very, very tough time for everybody."

Paula will be laid to rest on Thursday, October 26, with mourners asked to wear bright pink in her memory. You can donate to the fundraiser here.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Sarah Vesty