THE friends, family and colleagues of "caring and compassionate" Nuala McLaughlin have been left heartbroken following the untimely passing of the local social worker – the first Western Health and Social Care Trust staff member to die after contracting Covid-19.

Nuala (43), who lived in Ballygawley but had worked as a social worker in the Fermanagh area, passed away on December 22 at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) following a "heroic and inspirational" battle with the coronavirus.

Leading the homily at Nuala's funeral mass on Christmas Eve, her brother, Father Peter McAnenly, spoke highly of his late sister.

"I know that I speak on behalf of all the family as I say she was a much-loved daughter and a wonderful sister, and someone who was really cherished by her nieces and nephews," said Father Peter, adding that over and above all else, Nuala was a much-loved mother to her two children, Orla and Eoin.

Nuala was a social worker within the family and childcare directorate in the Western Health and Social Care Trust for almost 20 years.

Her colleagues described her as "one of the most passionate, dedicated and committed workers" who took great pride in carrying out her duties to ensure the best possible outcomes for the children and families she had contact with.

During her career in social work, Nuala had progressed to the role of social work manager within the Looked After Children's Service, and moving to 16+ Pathway Service working across the Fermanagh and Omagh areas.

"For the last number of years, she has worked as a family and child care social worker and Nuala was someone who just loved her work, and she found much fulfilment in her role," said her brother, who went on to acknowledge the "lovely tribute" the Trust shared on social media.

"She has been described as a highly-valued member of the team, a natural leader, caring and compassionate to all the staff she managed and led.

"The tribute states that she was one of the most passionate, dedicated and committed workers who took great pride in carrying out her duties, to ensure the best possible outcomes for the children and families she had contact with.

"Very recently, she secured a Principal Social Work position, and as a family we were all quietly proud of her wonderful achievements," he said.

Paying tribute to their "dear friend and colleague", Nuala's colleagues at the Trust said: "Nuala approached her role with great humility, never seeking praise and often downplayed the significance and importance of her role and how being the genuine and caring person she was often made a difference in so many ways.

"As colleagues, we will treasure these special and memorable times we shared together including the laughs, the tears, phone calls and nights out.

"Anyone that knows Nuala in a work capacity would agree how her personality and presence lit up the room, and became infectious.

"We stand in solidarity with all her family, especially Eoin and Orla, as we can only imagine the loss and grief they are experiencing at this time, and want them to know how much Nuala was thought of by her 'work family', and we are forever indebted to her for all she has done for us.”

Father Peter described the last month as incredibly difficult for the family, and particularly for Nuala as she "so desperately" fought against the coronavirus.

"She was heroic and truly inspirational in how she fought, and the courage and strength that she showed over these last weeks will stay with me and with our family for the rest of our lives," he said during the service.

Loving mother of Orla and Eoin, and dear daughter of Claire and the late Frank; much loved sister of Cathal, Colette (Sludden), Paul, Eamonn, Father Peter (Armagh), Catherine (McKenna) and Brian, Nuala is deeply missed by her extended family circle and friends.

"Nuala, we love you and we will always love you – you were the essence of all that is good, you weren’t special – you were extra-special. You will always be part of our lives and I will always be proud to say that you are my sister," Father Peter said in closing.