Tributes pour in for woman who died after c-section at University Hospital Cork

Tributes have been paid to a “kind and gentle” nurse who died after undergoing a c-section at Cork University Hospital (CUH) last week.

Stephy Scaria, who was originally from India, passed away on 21st June after a caesarean section at the Cork Hospital, her family has said.

Her husband, Baiju, has since set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds to bring his wife’s body back to India. It is understood the couple lived in Abbeyfeale in Kerry, 

“We are absolutely devastated by Stephy’s passing and are struggling to find the funds to cover the cost of her funeral and the repatriation of her remains to India,” Mr Scaria said on the GoFundMe page. 

“We will need to pay all funeral costs, and we have started a fundraiser to collect donations for Stephy’s funeral service,” he said, adding the family were “very grateful” for every donation during a difficult time. So far, over €72,000 has been raised, with over 2,500 users donating over the course of three days.

The tragic death has since been confirmed by Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH), who said that a maternal death had occurred in recent days.

It told Cork Beo that: “The Coroner has been notified and in line with HSE policy on all maternal death, an external review will be undertaken.

“CUMH is providing bereavement support to the family at this very sad time. Hospital management and staff at CUMH wish to express their condolences and deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased during this very difficult period.”

It is understood that Ms Scaria was a nurse in University Hospital Kerry, with colleagues expressing their condolences to the young woman’s family and friends.

“So heartbreaking. Such a beautiful, kind and gentle person,” one lady wrote on social media. Dozens of people have paid tribute to Ms Scaria, including a neighbour, who wrote on social media: “Stephy was a lovely neighbour. So gentle and kind.”

“A true lady. Sincere sympathy to husband, sons and family,” another wrote.

A former colleague said they remembered Stephy from working in the children’s ward at University Hospital Kerry. 

“What a fabulous nurse she was to us when we were in there,” the colleague said.

Parish priest in Abbeyfeale, Fr Tony Mullins, told Radio Kerry on Tuesday that the family were regular mass goers at week-day and weekend Masses, as he paid tribute to their “gentle presence in our community.”

“People are just absolutely devastated. A beautiful family.”

Fr Mullins said that Ms Scaria’s parents had travelled to Ireland for the birth of the child, and had arrived into the devastation.

“It’s just terrible […] Our hearts go out to her colleagues as well,” he said, adding that many people from Southern India had become invaluable in the Irish health service.

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Maria Maynes

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This article was first published on Gript and is printed here with permission

   

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