'There will never be another like her:' Family's tribute to Bispham school worker Cath Strangwood after she dies following Covid-19 battle

Catherine 'Cath' Strangwood, who worked at Bispham's Moor Park Primary School as a one-to-one support worker, lost her fight for life on Saturday, November 28.

Cath, who was 57, died in Blackpool Victoria Hospital holding daughter Amy's and husband Andrew's hands after weeks of fighting Covid-19.

"All she had was a bit of asthma but it was well-controlled. She lived a happy, healthy and full life," daughter Amy Moores, 33, said.

"She was loved and respected by all who knew her, which was a testament to her kind and compassionate personality.

"There will never be another like her."

Cath moved to Blackpool from Walsall, West Midlands in 1988 with her mum Viv Workman. The mother and daughter team owned The Cumberland Hotel on Station Road, before moving to Fir Trees Guest House on St Chad's Road.

It was at the Cumberland Hotel she met her husband of 32 years, Andrew. The couple moved to Winchester Avenue, South Shore, before their final move to Bispham in 2014.

Andrew, who has also spent time on the Vic's ICU ward battling coronavirus, paid tribute to Cath, the "love of his life."

"We have never been apart for more than five days in 32 years," he said.

"I don't know how I can be without her, she is my world, my best friend, but most of all my princess and the love of my life.

"Thank you, my darling, for fighting Covid-19 for so long. I want to be with you but I know you would want me to look after our children and grandchildren, I will never be as good as you at this but I will do my best.

"I will wait and look forward to being with you in my arms one day."

Cath's mum Viv said she was a wonderful daughter, and her death had left her "heartbroken."

"She was my right arm, we had such a wonderful relationship right from when she was born, I love her so much," she said.

Cath's sons, Matthew, 26 and James, 19, also paid tribute to their "brave, kind and caring" mum.

"You were an amazing mother and were always there for us when we needed you," James said.

"You were brave, kind, caring and an all around amazing person that never failed to brighten up our day with your smile and your contagious laughter.

"Your hugs were warm and your words were even warmer, you never failed to show us that you loved us."

Matthew said he could not have asked for a better mother, and that she was "the most caring and compassionate grandmother."

Cath caught coronavirus after returning to work at Moor Park Primary School in Moor Park Avenue, Bispham, to look after key workers' children during the first lockdown in England.

Her daughter Amy said Moor Park has been following Government guidelines stringently and Cath loved her job, the children and her colleagues.

Joanne Magson, headteacher at Moor Park, also paid tribute to Cath.

"Mrs Cath Strangwood worked as a teaching assistant at Moor Park for many years and supported many children and families during her career," she said.

"She was an exceptionally kind and positive person with an absolute heart of gold. She has made such a huge difference to the lives of the children, families and staff she supported and worked with.

"Cath absolutely loved working at Moor Park, and was a dedicated and passionate member of staff. She approached everything she did with the largest of smiles, energy,

enthusiasm and care.

"It is a huge loss for her husband, family and our school community. The staff and children have not only lost a teacher and colleague, we have lost our friend."

Cath spent a month in the Vic's intensive care unit, before being moved to a ventilator after she became tired fighting the virus.

The family wished to thank everyone who cared for Cath during her time at Blackpool Vic.

"The doctors and nurses were absolutely amazing, they called us several times a day to update us," Amy said.

"The nurses chatted to her all the time. She was just such a nice person that everyone wanted to look out for her."

Cath leaves behind her husband Andrew, 53, sons Matthew and James, 26 and 19, daughter Amy, 33, and grandchildren Emaleigh, 15, Ellis, five and Theo, four.