A ‘REMARKABLE’ woman who adopted two children and fostered almost 40 youngsters died following a long battle with ill-health.
Pamela Jones, of Maes Enion, Rhos, raised three children of her own, formally adopted twins and fostered 37 youngsters despite suffering from ongoing health problems in the wake of a severe stroke which left her wheelchair-bound.
An inquest at Wrexham, attended by 10 family members, heard Mrs Jones also made a career of looking after others by working as a carer and as an auxiliary nurse at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
Kirit Champaneria, deputy coroner for North East Wales, paid tribute to Mrs Jones’s incredible generosity.
“She was obviously a remarkable lady,” he said. “What she did is astonishing in itself and an amazing contribution to the community.”
Mrs Jones, a diabetic, and her second husband John Jones met in 1984 and married a few years later, but Mr Jones, a welder, retired following her stroke to care for her.
Mr Jones said: “The stroke, which we believe was caused by a thyroid problem, was out of the blue. She had always been fit and healthy up until then.”
It was revealed Mrs Jones, who died at Wrexham Maelor Hospital on July 28, aged 66, also suffered several episodes of back pain, a chest infection which developed into asthma and bronchiectasis.
But her family paid tribute to her emotional and physical strength which she drew upon to cope with these difficulties and Mr Jones explained how she spent 20 years battling with pain. He added: “She kept going through sheer strong will and determination.
“I just can’t believe she fought on for all those years and then she was gone in two days.”
Mrs Jones was admitted to the Maelor on July 27 after a bout of vomiting and diarrhoea.
Dr Anthony Burdge, consultant pathologist at the Maelor, said: “The diarrhoea and vomiting was the trigger. It led to kidney failure and the acid levels in her blood became dangerously high.
“Her heart failed and her lungs filled up with fluid.”
He revealed how Mrs Jones’s body was already under pressure because of her diabetes and she just was not able to cope with the gastroenteritis which sparked her rapid deterioration.
Mr Champaneria added: “This could’ve happened at any time in the last 20 years so it really is testament to her mental strength that she did so well for so long.
“And the family support she clearly received speaks volumes.”
He recorded a verdict of death by natural causes from acute heart and kidney failure.
Mr Jones added: “She was just a wonderful and amazing woman and her loss has left a gaping hole in the family. She will be loved and missed by everyone.”