Friends raise money for the family of Karen Hobbs, 40, who had no underlying health issues
KAREN Hobbs, a 40-year-old mother from Pentwyn, has died from Covid-19 leaving five children — Dylan, 14, Niamh, 11, Amelia, 9, Sam, 8 and Olivia, 4.
She had no underlying health issues. Karen’s childhood friend Jemma Greenman, who is now a primary school teacher, said: “She was obviously just really unlucky.”
Karen had always lived in Pentwyn. She was born in Llwyn Castan, and more recently lived in Coeden Dal.
Jemma said: “In December Karen started feeling not very well. She hadn’t been out of the house for a few weeks so couldn’t understand what it was. She didn’t have a car so she had to order a test to come through the post, and then it came back positive. But by the time it came back positive she was feeling worse.”
Karen later went into hospital and also developed pneumonia. On January 2 she was put into an induced coma.
“She was terrified for her life because they tell you you might not wake up. And then unfortunately the virus had gone to town on her lungs and then there was other complications, it was going to other organs that were failing,” said Jemma.
Karen posted on social media on that day, saying that she was “terrified” and asking people to pray that she would come home to her kids.
Jemma said: “It’s devastating and scary to think that the virus could do that to somebody so young.”
Karen worked for Easy Jet as an air hostess, until she gave it up to look after her children.
Karen and her partner Pete Johnston separated a few years ago, after being together for 16 years and having their five children. Pete lives in Pontypridd and works full-time as a train driver. He has now moved back into the family home in Pentwyn to care for the children.
Jemma said Karen, “had an opinion on everything, we can’t believe how someone so full of life could just be ravaged by this virus. She was the most down to earth person you could ever meet, there was no airs and graces with her. She wore her heart on her sleeve”.
We can’t even put an arm around them or have them over to play.
Jemma Greenman
Jemma said Karen “loved children and babies”, and would have loved to have gone onto do a midwifery course.
“She was a wonderful mum, devoted to her kids, she would do anything for them. If ever they were in trouble or anything she’d be knocking on people’s doors asking what’s happened. She was great at advice child wise, she was an expert on it. She was a full time mum, she was their main caregiver, so she’s gonna be missed so much by them.”
Karen’s friends Jemma, 39, and Laura Chapelle, 38, have started a GoFundMe, aiming to raise money for Pete and the children. The fundraiser has already raised £7,267 after being posted on Sunday.
Jemma said she wanted to start the GoFundMe so that the family don’t have to worry about money.
“It’s horrific what the children are going to be going through, so maybe they can book a little holiday at the end of the year to look forward to. Maybe it could pay for Pete to have someone come in and clean the house help with child care.
“Everybody’s been so kind and generous, so we just want to say thank you to everyone who’s donated.”
Jemma and Laura have known Karen since they were children: “For all my childhood experiences she was right there. We had some really good times and I really cherish those memories now.”
“It doesn’t feel real at the moment. I think friends and family feel a bit helpless because we can’t even see them properly, we’re not allowed to mix, we can’t even help them out or put an arm around or have the children over to play with other children to give them a break. It’s hard enough but with the circumstances, it makes it even harder.”
