Samantha Willis Funeral listens to how life and death intertwine with the christening of a newborn Evegris during a Derry church service

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Protesters at the funeral of a new mother, Samantha Willis, who died of Covid-19 after giving birth, were told of “deep grief” within the community and how “life and death are intertwined”.

During the service, at St Columbus Church in Londonderry, her two-week-old daughter Evegris was also baptized.

The 35-year-old died in the intensive care unit at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry on Friday after a 16-day battle with Covid-19.

Tragically, Samantha was unable to hold her newborn baby girl.

Father Sean O’Donnell, who led the mass, said this was the first time he had performed a baptism in the same funeral prayer.

He said it’s rare but “talks about death and life all intertwined.”

“It’s sadness and joy at the same time, but they’ve never been so close together.

“And the joy of the baptism of this new life does not diminish death, but the sorrow that brings us all here in the course of faith.”

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The members of the Derry City Under-17 squad performed a guard of honor. Beck Martin McKeown.

The members of the Derry City Under-17 squad performed a guard of honor. Beck Martin McKeown.

He said Samantha’s sudden death was “largely out of order”.

“Especially when Samantha gave birth to a new life a few days ago, it just didn’t make sense,” Father O’Donnell said.

“Here comes a new life into the world, planned and chosen, the excitement of looking forward to it, and out of this tormented body, the body that was dependent on the organs of life support.

“However, God’s presence is somehow present in our existence as a sad community of family and friends, tears and weaknesses and brokenness and everything else that exists, and God is present in all of that because he is in us.”

It was in the same church where Samantha married her husband, Josh, two years earlier.

Members of the Derry City U-17 band held an honor guard while carrying her to church.

Among those attending the funeral was former pastor and police board member Dennis Bradley.

Samantha has not been vaccinated against the virus and over the weekend, her husband Josh made an emotional plea for people to get a jab to save having to go through the trauma his family is experiencing.

Samantha, a care worker, left behind three other children, son Shea and daughters Holly and Liliana.

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Josh Willis with mourners. Beck Jonathan Porter Press

Josh Willis with mourners. Beck Jonathan Porter Press

Josh said he “lost the love of his life” and is now the family’s guardian angel.

In a Facebook post, he said, “Samantha has had a tough fight for the past 16 days, but in the end it just wasn’t enough. She did her best to get home to her family and beautiful children and soon after 12am in the early hours of On Friday morning, she passed away peacefully in the intensive care unit of the Altnagelvin Hospital.

“Me, her mother and her two older children were by her side. She was not in any pain and was relieved when she slipped.

“While in the hospital, she also had to make our latest addition to the family that she’d never properly met or held in her arms.”

Josh said he was determined that his daughter Evegris would know all about her mother.

He said, “I will never let anyone forget you and I will remember all the special times and experiences we shared together.”

“Children are my main priority now. All I want to do now is make Samantha proud.

“I’m sure she’s really looking down on her and proud of the way we do. We’re proud of her too, she’s been such an amazing, loving and caring person who has been our superhero for the past few weeks.

She is now our guardian angel and will forever be in our hearts and thoughts. We love you so much and miss you. We wish we could help you come home to live the rest of your life with us.

“I will never stop loving you and we will do everything we can to make you proud until we see you again. Sleep well, Queen. I love you.”

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