The family of a mum who suddenly died after going to sleep with suspected food poisoning has told of their heartache.
Kelly Gleeson, 40, believed she was suffering from the illness on December 29 after spending most of the day throwing up.
She decided to go to bed at around 6pm, but was tragically found unresponsive by her teenage daughter an hour later.
Paramedics were called to the family home in Stockport, Greater Manchester, but were unable to revive her.
Kelly, who worked as a unit manager at a care home and had no previous health issues, was later found to have died from a pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot gets stuck in an artery of the lungs.
Her sister, Jade Rothwell, told Manchester Evening News: "I was at home with my kids and my partner rang me and told me.
"He told me she had gone. I screamed and told him he was lying. We got the kids in the car and went straight to Kelly’s.
"That’s when I knew, when I saw everyone there. It was real. I had to go and say my goodbyes to her."
A pulmonary embolism can be serious or fatal if not treated quickly, as it can compromise the functionality of the lungs, according to the NHS.
Symptoms include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing or vomiting blood.
Jade, 30, continued: "The paramedics couldn’t resuscitate her. It was so unexpected. We couldn’t believe it because it was such a shock. It’s been lonely and quiet without her."
Born in Stockport, Kelly met her husband Jerry 22 years ago and they had a daughter together, named Madison.
She tragically lost her brother to cancer in 2018, with her family taking comfort in the thought of them being reunited again.
Kelly’s husband, Jerry Gleeson, said: "I’m absolutely devastated. My beautiful wife died on Thursday, December 29, and to say I’m heartbroken is an understatement.
"22 wonderful years we had together – well, when I wasn’t annoying her. I was good at doing that.
“I never stopped loving you and I will always love you. I promise I’ll look after our baby girl. The dog is lost. She keeps sitting on the rug staring up at the door, waiting for you to come home.
"I keep trying to take comfort in how well liked she was, but it just makes me feel worse. How can someone so beautiful be taken so soon? I’m going to be so lost without you."
Kelly's family, who described her as "bubbly" and "the life of the party", has now launched a GoFundMe page to help raise costs towards her funeral.
Her daughter, Madison, added: “My mum was my best friend and we did everything together no matter what. She was the loudest in the room no matter where we were or who she was with.
"She did everything for me and bought me everything I ever wanted. She always called me a ‘spoiled brat’, so this is my time now to repay the favour and give her the best send-off she deserves."
