A grandmother from Lanarkshire has spoken of her profound grief after suffering the devastating loss of her daughter and infant granddaughter within a tragically short nine-month period.
A Double Tragedy Unfolds
Diane Edgar, from Blantyre, is facing her first Christmas without her 34-year-old daughter Paula and six-month-old granddaughter Pixie. The family's ordeal began earlier this year when baby Pixie heartbreakingly died from Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) while being bathed by her mother.
Paula, who had longed for a child since her teenage years, was described as being utterly devoted to her daughter. "Pixie was her entire world," Diane told GlasgowLive. "She would never let anyone help. She was so devoted to that beautiful wee girl."
A Mother's Unimaginable Grief
In the agonising aftermath of losing Pixie, Paula's health began to deteriorate. She started experiencing seizures, which were later discovered to be caused by two tumours on her brain.
Diane revealed that the vibrant, bubbly personality her daughter was known for completely vanished after Pixie's passing. "She was a shell," Diane said. "Paula was the bubbliest, happiest and kindest person that you could ever meet. She was just high on life and loved life. That all went away when Pixie passed."
A Family Left Bereft
The prospect of enduring the festive season without her baby proved too much for Paula, whose own health was failing. She suddenly died in November, leaving her mother and wider family crushed by this second, catastrophic loss.
Reflecting on the silence that has now fallen, Diane shared: "Paula had such a big, loud and infectious laugh and now it's just silent. Christmas is going to be tough without her." She remembered her daughter as her "wee sidekick" and "one in a million," adding that she would miss her laugh the most.
Diane emphasised the impact her daughter had on their community, stating: "Everyone felt her loss because she was so popular in the area. We will remember her for the wonderful wee soul that she was and how important she was to the 1000s of people that she touched during her life."
