A mother tragically died after choking on food while cooking dinner in front of her partner and young children.
Support worker Siobhan Rose Simmonds, 33, was discovered on the kitchen floor after she collapsed while preparing a meal for her family at their home in Dover, Kent, on February 24.
Ms Simmonds, known to loved ones as ‘Bon’ and ‘Bonnie’, was rushed to William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, but died on March 1 after spending a week in a coma.
Her family said they were ‘so proud’ of their ‘blue-eyed girl’ after they discovered she was a registered organ donor when she died.
John Simmonds, her father, said: ‘She was so lovely, she was so bubbly, she would help anyone. Everyone tried to help her survive, but she just suffocated. It can happen to anyone.’
Simmonds’ partner, his son and her two-year-old daughter witnessed the tragic incident and said their ‘whole world has come together’.
Siobhan Rose Simmonds (pictured with her youngest daughter), 33, was found unresponsive on the kitchen floor on February 24
After spending a week in the hospital, the family was told that she would not be able to survive.
Shocked relatives and friends have launched a crowdfunder to help Simmonds’ family.
It has already smashed the £3,000 target and relatives said they were ‘proud’ of her decision to donate seven of her organs to help other people.
Simmonds, also the mother of a 14-year-old boy, had expressed a desire to donate her organs on at least four occasions.
After being alerted at the hospital, the family agreed to the decision and Mrs Simmonds went into theater for organ removal surgery on 2 March.
Her sister, Julie Barrett, said she was ‘devastated’ by the tragedy.
But she added: ‘We are so proud of her. That’s the one thing that has made us happy about all this.’
Her heart, two kidneys, liver, pancreas and both corneas were transported to various recipients across the country.
Ms Simmonds’ father added that because she had donated so many organs, it was like ‘out there somewhere she’s still walking’.
The crowdfunding appeal has been launched to cover the funeral costs and to support both of her children.
The support worker, from Dover, was taken by ambulance to William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, but remained in a coma until she died a week later on March 1
It stands at £3,270 at the time of writing and her family said some would be given to mental health charity Mind.
The crowdfunder said: ‘We are absolutely devastated to share our heartbreak at losing our blue-eyed girl, Siobhan Rose Simmonds.
‘On the evening of February 24th our beautiful Siobhan (Bon, Bonnie) passed away after tragically choking on food during a family meal.
‘Unfortunately this was witnessed by her young daughter and partner and his son. The whole world has come crashing down for those who love her.
‘Paramedics quickly attended but her heart had stopped. They worked hard to restart her young heart and succeeded, but for Siobhan it was too late: she did not wake up from her coma and was pronounced dead a week later on March 1, 2024 at 1447.
‘The critical staff at William Harvey Hospital kept her heart beating when she was an organ donor. She was taken into surgery in the early hours of Saturday morning and donated her pancreas, liver, both kidneys and eventually her heart.
‘Those of you lucky enough to have met Siobhan will remember the loving nature she inherited from her parents, Bernadette and John. The hospital told us that Siobhan chose to donate her organs at least four times during her short life.
‘Less than 1,400 people donate their organs a year in the UK. We take comfort in the amazing gift you gave Bonnie! We can’t wait to hear the success stories of people and families whose lives will be transformed from your generosity.
‘Siobhan was a mother to two children, a 14-year-old son whom she adored and a two-year-old daughter who, like her mother, is also a fighter, having been born at just 29 weeks. We hope that this fund will contribute to the future of both of them and a charity close to our heart, Mind.
‘Siobhan was a naturally caring and special person who, with her quirky sense of style, loved life and life loved her. Her love of music and her wicked sense of humor made her a lovable person. Her courage and thoughtfulness meant that she was deeply cared for by all who knew her.
“Siobhan would probably hate this post asking for help with funeral costs, but we really could do anything to help give our Bon the send off she deserves.”
One of her eight siblings, Susan Ababte, 46, said: ‘Siobhan was a very funny child and grew up to be such a funny adult. She always wanted to make people laugh.
‘When I walked down the theater with her when she donated her organs, I’ve never felt so proud in my entire life. There was no hesitation from anyone in the family because we knew that’s what she wanted to do.’
Ms Simmonds was a support teacher in Dover and had her first child aged 17.
Despite being a young mother, Abate said: ‘Siobhan was such a tender mother. She was always dancing, playing and teaching her children. She was a natural.
‘We are all completely devastated. We have many siblings, but there are none left.’