AN AMAZING nurse, who died after she was treated in the same cancer ward she worked in, was given a heartfelt send-off this week by colleagues.
Lauranne Jones, 62, from Springside paid Crosshouse Hospital – her workplace of 22 years – one last visit yesterday (May 11) as she was laid to rest after a short battle with illness.
Fellow nurse, doctors and colleagues at Ward 3A of the hospital stood outside wearing purple to say one last goodbye to their friend.
The gran, described by her family as ‘vibrant’, had three sons, Russell, Kris and Barry, one grandchild Lauren and was married to her beloved husband Robert for more than 30 years.
Her niece Amanda Collins has paid tribute to her favourite aunt.
She told the Times: “My aunt was eccentric, vibrant, loud and proud, and just lived for life.
“She was born in Springside she lived there all her life. She loved her job. She spent 22 years at Crosshouse Hospital and she even abseiled down it once.”
Lauranee went into hospital on March 2 complaining of pain in her legs. But her tests came back to show she had AML leukaemia, an aggressive form of the cancer.
She was admitted to the same ward she was treating patients in just days before, with colleagues rallying round her as she started her chemotherapy treatment.
She endured three blasts of treatment, but developed infections in her lungs, as her condition became worse.
Lauranne died on April 26 with her brother Russell and three sisters Elaine, Yvonne and Jessie able to say goodbye.
Amanda said: “It’s been quite a shock, it all happened so fast. She was offered to go to Ayr for treatment, but she wanted to stay with her friends and everyone she worked with.
“It was more comforting for her. They all knew she could handle it.”
Her colleagues, who were unable to attend the funeral due to social distancing measures got in touch with the family to ask if the hearse could pay one last visit to Crosshouse.
And they gave Lauranne, who was known to enjoy a vodka or two, a bottle to be buried with.
Amanda added: “She loved her vodkaand dressing up in bright colours. Purple was her favourite. She had a unique purple coffin, with a picture parade on the side. It’s exactly what she would have wanted.”
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