‘Ask them to get vaccinated:’ Mom shares daughter’s last wish after death from COVID

FORT WORTH, Texas (WFAA) – A mother in Texas shares the last wish of her daughter, who died of complications from COVID days after giving birth.

“It was very difficult,” said Robin Zinsou. “What keeps me going are the girls. “

Her two granddaughters were for whom her daughter, Paige Ruiz, 32, lived.

“Paige was the life of the party. She had the biggest smile, the biggest personality, ”Zinsou said. “She loved being a mom.”

Ruiz’s eldest daughter, Joanna, is two and a half years old. Ruiz was expecting his new daughter, Celeste, when she tested positive for COVID-19.

“I kept asking her ‘Have you talked to the doctor about getting the vaccine?’ And she said ‘No mom, I’m going to wait until I have the baby,’ ”Zinsou said.

Ruiz was due to give birth on July 30. She tested positive on July 24, days before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with a national group of obstetricians strongly recommended immunizations for pregnant women.

She first developed a cough which then turned into a trip to the emergency room. Her newborn baby, Celeste, was delivered by emergency Caesarean section.

“She’s so healthy,” Zinsou said of Celeste. ” She grows up. He’s just a happy little baby.

Ruiz has recovered enough to be alert and video chat with his newborn daughter.

“She texted me and said ‘Mom, I would like to get the vaccine’,” Zinsou said.

Ruiz’s health subsequently deteriorated and she died on August 15.

She could never hold Celeste

“As Paige’s mom, it was hard to see her knowing that she couldn’t see her baby,” Zinsou said.

Zinsou said that days before his death, Ruiz had a goal and a lesson to share.

“She would text her friends and sisters and say, ‘If you know someone who isn’t vaccinated, beg them to get the shot.’ And this is Paige’s last message, ”she said.

Ruiz lived for his daughters, but now, like too many families affected by the deadly virus, only his memory remains.

“If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for the people you love,” Zinsou said.

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