In memory of Ann Cooney

Our wonderful, light-filled, adventurous and loving mother Ann Cooney passed away on 21/6/22 after suffering a ruptured cerebral aneurysm causing a subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). This is an uncommon stroke with many complications due to its severity and location in the brain.

Ann underwent two emergency surgeries with a survival rate of 50/50; she fought in ICU for eleven days before developing a complication called a vasospasm, which has a prevalence rate of 60% post SAH. Ann passed away peacefully with her daughter Laura, her beloved husband Jim, her son-in-law Chris at her side and her son Ian on the phone in the UK.

She was so loved, a friend to everyone and had a vivacious and bright personality. She was tenacious in her love for her family and friends, she loved to travel and explore, her garden was a place of solace, and she walked and biked miles daily.

These events have been extremely sudden and traumatic. We were holidaying together in Phuket and had to navigate a very different health service, the language barrier, health insurance and being half a world away from our loved ones. Following an extra three weeks in Thailand, we have just been able to return to the UK on emergency repatriation flights.

The support we have received has been overwhelming. It is helping us navigate this very challenging time; we are ever grateful. Although Ann & Jim's insurance will cover part of the medical and travel costs, there have been a lot of incidental expenses and likely more to come. Chris and I will now need to extend our stay in the UK for an unknown amount of time to be with family and ensure practical things are in order. We are now trying to balance the worry of financial stress and plan for the future.

We have set up this page for those of you who have expressed interest in assisting our family. We would also like to make a donation to the Vachira Phuket Hospital Intensive Care Unit to acknowledge the care and professionalism they showed when my mother was in their care.

With love

Laura, Jim, Ian, Chris and all the family