A young brother and sister from Staffordshire have been tragically orphaned just weeks before Christmas, after their mother suffered a fatal heart attack in front of them.
A Family Shattered by Loss
Ellie, aged five, and her three-year-old brother Alfie have now lost both parents in the space of two years. Their father, Steven Smith, died in 2023 at the age of 46, just six weeks after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.
The children's mother, 42-year-old Louise Smith, was devastated by her husband's sudden death and struggled with depression. Her sister, Tracy Green, said Louise had recently begun to feel more positive and the family were making festive plans.
"We were making plans for Christmas this year," Tracy explained. "We decided we’d go to London for the fireworks on New Year’s Eve."
The Tragic Day That Changed Everything
Tragedy struck during a visit to Louise's home. Tracy had stepped into the bathroom for ten minutes. When she returned, she found her sister collapsed on the floor.
"I tried to wake her up but she was unresponsive," Tracy recalled. "I started crying uncontrollably and called an ambulance. The kids saw the whole thing. By the time the paramedics arrived, she had already gone."
Louise was pronounced dead from a heart attack, leaving Ellie and Alfie without either parent.
Aunt Steps In Amid Heartbreak
Tracy, from Clayton, who has no children of her own, is now raising her niece and nephew. She described the profound difficulty of explaining the situation to the young children.
"They don’t really understand what’s happened," she said. "They keep asking where their mum is. I tell them she’s with the angels now. Then they tell me that they want to see her for Christmas. It’s heart-breaking."
Tracy is now facing the dual challenge of funding a fitting funeral for her sister while trying to provide some Christmas magic for the grieving siblings.
"I need to give her the send-off she deserves and one that the kids can be involved with," Tracy stated. "I also want to make sure that they get the Christmas they deserve too. Ellie loves Barbie and Alfie loves Lego."
She has launched a GoFundMe campaign to seek support from the local community in North Staffordshire, hoping to cover funeral costs and bring some joy to the children.
"Reaching out has been a real last resort for me, but I don’t know what else to do," Tracy admitted, while thanking neighbours who have already offered practical help.
