Nicola Welsh “always had a smile on her face, even when she was unwell”
Nicola Welsh was ‘loving and selfless’(Image: Family handout)
A grieving family has paid tribute to a “selfless” wife, mother, sister, daughter, and auntie who was “full of love for others”. Nicola Welsh sadly died age 47 after falling ill with sepsis.
Nicola grew up in Gipsyville and then lived in the Hessle Road area of Hull. Despite her health problems, she was described as always caring for others and “the glue that held our family together”.
Tragically, Nicola died on March 16 at Hull Royal Infirmary, just one day after Mother’s Day. Her son, Ethan Porter-Welsh, said she was admitted to hospital in February due to a suspected kidney stone, but then developed pneumonia and sepsis which sadly she did not recover from.
In tribute to his mum, Ethan said: “She was the heart of our family. Everything good about me and my brothers comes from her. We just want people to remember how loving and selfless she was.
“She showed up for us every single day, in ways we probably didn’t even realise at the time. Whether it was making our packed lunches for school, cooking for us when we got home, or just always being there when we needed her, she taught us what it means to care for others and to love selflessly.
“She faced illness throughout her life and spent more time in and out of hospital than anyone ever should, but she never let it take who she was. No matter what she was going through, she always found her joy in her family. We were her world, and being there for us is what kept her going.
“One thing that always stays with me is how she would make us cups of tea and joke that she didn’t need sugar because she was ‘sweet enough’ already. That was her, always caring for everyone else while still making us smile. That is how we will remember her.”
Nicola’s husband said: “Nicola was the glue that held our family together. She made sure we were always close to one another and gave our sons the best life she possibly could.
“My most beautiful memory of her is our wedding day. I have never seen her look so perfect. I am so proud of the way she cared for all of us. There was truly no one else like her.”
“Nicola was a beautiful daughter, and I was always so proud of her,” said her mum. “From a very young age she was caring, curious and full of love for others. She adored her little sisters and brother and always wanted to help, even as a child. That was just who she was.
“She grew into the most selfless person, always putting others before herself. No matter how she was feeling, she would be there if someone needed her, even turning up in her pyjamas for hospital visits.
“She always had a smile on her face, even when she was unwell. Nicola was an incredible mum and a wonderful auntie. Her nieces and nephew absolutely adored her.
“She would spoil them, bake with them, do arts and crafts, and make them laugh with her silly, playful nature. She brought so much joy into their lives, and into all of ours.
“She suffered a lot in her life, and while we take comfort in knowing she is no longer in pain, our hearts are broken that we have lost her far too soon. As a family, we will miss her every single day, and we just want to give her the send-off she truly deserves.”
Her daughter-in-law added: “Nicola was an amazing mother-in-law. From the moment I met her, she treated me like one of her own and showed me nothing but love and care.
“We would spend hours on the phone talking, and she never failed to make me laugh. She had such a warm and welcoming nature, and she made everyone feel comfortable around her.
“She was an incredible mum. Her boys were her whole world, and she was such a beautiful person inside and out. She will be missed more than words can say.”
Because of Nicola’s long-term health problems, she could not take out life insurance to help with costs towards her funeral. Ethan has made a gofundme page in the hope of raising enough money for his mum’s coffin to be transported by horse and carriage, which was what she wanted.
At the time of writing, the fundraiser has raised £1040 out of its target of £1,800. You can donate here.
Did you know you can make Hull Live a preferred source of Hull news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here .