Family ‘distraught’ when mom dies after going to bed with a sore shoulder

The family was devastated after the mother of two died tragically when she fell asleep with shoulder pain.

Claire Duffy, who thought a hot bath and sleep would ease her pain, asked her husband Richard to wake her up if she overslept.

However, unfortunately, the 41-year-old man never woke up again.

When Richard entered their bedroom to check on her, Claire didn’t answer.

He frantically called the emergency services, but it was too late.

On January 8, Claire was declared dead, leaving her husband and heartbroken children behind.

Richard, 38, told the Manchester Evening News: “I was emotionally overwhelmed. I screamed.

“I ran into my daughter’s bedroom and immediately called 911.

“It doesn’t feel real, but it all feels like a blur. Everything went so fast.”

It was later revealed that Claire, who lived in Little Hulton, Greater Manchester with Richard and children Harry, 16, and Alice, 15, died of a pulmonary embolism.

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a lump of material, most commonly a blood clot, becomes lodged in an artery in the lungs.

It blocks the flow of blood and can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.

Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include sharp or stabbing chest pains that may come on suddenly or gradually.

Shortness of breath, coughing up blood, and feeling weak or dizzy are also common signs.

Unfortunately, Claire’s death is not the only tragedy that has befallen the family in recent times.

Just three weeks before her death, Claire’s mother, Katherine, also died suddenly on December 19, leaving Claire devastated.

“Catherine’s death is still under investigation,” Richard said. “It was a big shock. For a while, she felt unwell and took a lot of painkillers. Claire spent a lot of time with her mom, she had to drive past the house to get to work, so she saw her on a daily basis.”

Born and raised in Salford, Claire, who worked on the transport team at Kenny Waste Management, was described as a “beautiful, wonderful and fun” person who was “liked by everyone”.

She was known for being extremely family oriented and spending her free time making memories with loved ones.

Richard and Claire were due to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary when Claire tragically passed away.

“Everyone she met liked her,” he continued. “Family was her main interest. She spent all her free time with her daughter, son, nephews or nieces. She was very family oriented.”

Richard says that teenagers Harry and Alice are still trying to come to terms with their mom’s death.

“My son is still closed. My daughter was even worse,” he said.

“While I was talking on the phone with the doctors, her bedroom was very close. She heard everything that happened.”

The family had to pay for two funerals.

A Gofundme call has been set up to help Richard, Harry and Alice raise some of the needed funds.

The description reads: “I humbly ask for a little help so I can give Claire and her mom the send-off they deserve, and I’m trying to do it.

“I know Claire and Cat have been loved by so many people they’ve met in their eventful lives, and I hope to show that again.”

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