SoCal family reeling after 40-year-old mother of 3 dies from COVID-19
A Southern California family is mourning the tragic death of a mother of three who lost her battle with COVID-19.
LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (KABC) -- At just 40-years-old, Chrissy Leahy had so much life ahead of her.
She enjoyed her work as a sales manager, and loved her husband and three kids more than anything. But after falling ill to the coronavirus, Leahy died last week.
"She was fun loving, generous to the core, had the absolutely biggest heart," said Patricia Warble, Chrissy's mother.
"The tragic thing was that we couldn't go visit, that she had to die alone in the hospital," said Warble.
Leahy's 21-year-old daughter, a student at Chapman University, is still trying to process this tragic loss.
"The heartbreaking thing is when she said 'Grandma, I wanted my mom to be at my graduation, and my wedding, and see me have kids.' And I said 'Guess what honey, I will be there for you,'" said Warble.
Warble says the entire family was exposed to COVID on Christmas Day. It was the last time she'd see her daughter.
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While everyone else recovered, Chrissy's symptoms quickly worsened. She suffered from Crohn's, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Her mother believes her underlying condition likely played a role in the virus' progression, and said it breaks her heart families aren't allowed inside hospitals to provide comfort and support.
Chrissy died three weeks after testing positive.
"We didn't get to say goodbye. She didn't get to hear our voices," said Warble.
The family thanks the Lake Elsinore community for its support, and all of the health care heroes putting their lives on the line to treat sick patients.
"I know a lot of people that are in the front lines and I honor them for all of that," said Warble. "I just wish I could have seen my baby before she left."
