A great-grandmother died after testing positive for coronavirus on the same day as her husband – who saw her for one last kiss when they passed in a hospital corridor.
Tributes have poured in after the death of Carol Kleiman, 78, who was admitted to St James’ Hospital in Leeds with her 83-year-old husband Harvey Kleiman on April 1.
Mrs Kleiman who had an underlying heart condition, was moved straight to the intensive care unit but died four days later on April 5.
Mr Kleiman, who tested positive for coronavirus but showed no symptoms, was discharged on April 16 and is now recovering at his home in Leeds.
Carol Kleiman, 78, who was admitted to hospital with her 83-year-old husband Harvey Kleiman
The couple, due to celebrate their 40th anniversary in September, saw each other one last time for a wave and a kiss as they were being transferred to separate wards.
Mrs Kleiman’s stepdaughter, Frances Flaxington, 59, said she was ‘so glad’ the couple got to see each other one last time.
She said: ‘It was really spooky. My dad was admitted later the same day. He was in A&E as the infection had made him very poorly. He spotted her in the distance.
‘He was going one way and she was going another. I’m just so glad they were able to see each other for the last time when they were moving around the wards.’
Ms Flaxington described her stepmother as ‘bubbly person’ who would ‘light up any room’. She said: ‘My dad used to spoil her rotten and Carol looked after him in return.
Mr and Mrs Kleiman with their grandchildren Harry, Sophie, Rachel and Leoni, celebrating Rachel’s graduation in 2019. The couple were well-known in the Jewish community in Leeds
‘She loved spending time with her grandchildren as she would take them to the theatre and ballet.
‘She also loved sewing, going to book clubs and arranging flowers for displays. She was a very bubbly person and would light up any room.’
Mrs Kleiman, who volunteered at the Leeds branch of Women’s International Zionist Organisation, was well-loved within the local Jewish community.
More than 200 people attended traditional Shiva prayers, a Jewish ritual, on video platform Zoom on April 6, which was the day after she died.
Ms Flaxington and Mrs Kleiman’s sister Irene spoke at the ceremony but Mr Kleiman was too ill to attend. However, it was recorded and will be shown to him at a later date.
Ms Flaxington said: ‘We had family and friends from Australia and Florida watching the ceremony and paying their respects who otherwise would not be able to attend.
Mrs Kleiman was admitted to St James’ Hospital in Leeds (file picture) with her husband
‘There were so many people who wanted to be there but the call was just so full. To have that many people joining was a testament to how admired she was within the Jewish community.
‘Although it didn’t make grieving easier, it was certainly comforting.’
Mrs Kleiman leaves behind her son Ian, three great-grandchildren, six grandchildren, step-daughters Frances, Sue and Tracey and her sister, Irene.
In memory of Mrs Kleiman, Ms Flaxington is raising money for the NHS where half will go to the wards where the couple received care – and the other half will go to Leeds Cares.
The charity works with the Leeds teaching hospitals and have funded life-saving equipment and research through donations.
She said: ‘The doctors and nurses did their utmost to make sure they could help us. The nurses were unbelievable. They ensured that Ian, who lives in Australia, Irene and I were able to speak to her before she died.
‘The kindness they showed to the family in these difficult circumstances was just incredible.’
‘Despite the stress they are under, they want to care for people to the best of their ability and maintain their high standards.
‘I am a massive fan of the NHS – the work they do is phenomenal.’
So far, Ms Flaxington has raised more than £3,000 and donations can be made here.