‘Beautiful and dedicated’ mother, 42, died from brain haemorrhage after collapsing in front of her two sons
Nicole McWilliam fell in front of sons Harry nine, and Ewan, 11 who in a panic phoned the workman instead of dad to help
A MUM described as “beautiful” and “dedicated” died after collapsing from a brain haemorrhage in front of her two young sons.
Nicole McWilliam's husband James had briefly left the family home in Brough, East Yorkshire, to visit the shops.
The couple's sons, Harry, nine, and Ewan, 11, had been trying to contact their dad when, in their panic, they accidentally phoned a workman with the same name as him.
The workman, whose number had been saved in the phone, was fitting a kitchen at the family's home.
He gave the boys instructions on what they needed to do before James arrived home, moments later, and found his wife unconscious.
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James, 44, said: "It makes me feel very emotional and sad when I think what must have been going through the boys' minds at that point.
"I think, out of all of it, that point in time is probably the bit that has scared me the most.
"You don't think these things will ever happen to you.
"Suddenly, you come home and face it and it's there in front of you and then to see someone you love so much going through all that is such a horrific thing, especially the kids having to deal with it."
Nicole died on Sunday morning, 11 days after she was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary.
She worked as an account director at Red International Marketing and Communication Agency.
James says the tragedy has left his family heartbroken.
"I couldn't have picked a better wife. She was really kind, would always do anything for you, and she was genuine and lovely.
"She was beautiful as well, really pretty.
"The kids have found it hard. She was totally dedicated as a mother."
Nicole’s parents, Barrie and Jeanne Kirby, who also have a younger daughter, Gill, paid tribute.
Jeanne said: "We are as proud as you can be. She just wanted a happy family life, really. The boys were her entire world."
She said she also feels for her grandsons.
"It's hard to put yourself in their place," she said. "Your mum is your world and so is your daddy. It doesn't seem fair, but we are not the only ones it happens to."
James said he will now continue to raise their children the way his wife would have wanted.
"I want to try to use the same sort of beliefs that Nicole had, in terms of how they should behave, and try to push them as far as I can," he said.
"If they can be half the person she was I will be pleased."
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