In a heartbreaking development, 44-year-old Maria Thompson, a dedicated teacher, mother, and grandmother, has succumbed to complications from COVID-19. Throughout the pandemic, countless educators have tragically lost their lives, many of whom continued to teach in person or online despite the severe health crisis. Maria, from New Mexico, was one such educator, who valiantly carried on teaching virtually even after being hospitalized due to pneumonia linked to the virus.
According to reports, Maria began showing mild symptoms on November 12. A persistent cough led her to the emergency room, where she was diagnosed with COVID-19 and pneumonia. After a three-day hospital stay, she returned home with an oxygen mask and tank. “She was so determined to go home and teach,” her brother, John Thompson, shared. “She even taught while on oxygen, but her condition unfortunately deteriorated.”
Maria aimed to complete the school term and was teaching students with behavioral challenges over Zoom during the day and providing lessons over the phone to those without internet access at night. Her brother estimates she worked around 70 hours weekly. Sadly, her health took a turn for the worse two weeks after her initial release, leading to a return to Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque, where she was placed on a ventilator on December 6.
“She was a vibrant person we never thought would face such a dire situation,” John remarked. “We were unaware of how severe her condition had become until after her second hospitalization.” Doctors discovered blood clots in her lungs, alongside a collapsed lung and failing kidneys that necessitated dialysis. Ultimately, after seeing her at her lowest, the family made the heart-wrenching choice to remove her from the ventilator.
Maria leaves behind three children and a grandchild, in addition to her parents, brother, and sister. She and her family are part of the Navajo Nation in New Mexico, a community deeply affected by COVID-19, which has faced one of the highest per capita infection rates in the nation. The Navajo Department of Health has reported over 20,000 cases and 731 fatalities.
To assist with funeral expenses, the family has established a GoFundMe page that quickly reached its goal within 48 hours. John hopes that Maria’s story will shed light on the broader struggles faced by many. “Her story reflects the experiences of countless others impacted by this pandemic,” he stated. “She would have wanted everyone to love and support each other, always seeking the best in one another to foster a better world. That is her legacy.”
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Summary:
Maria Thompson, a dedicated teacher from New Mexico, tragically lost her life to COVID-19 after continuing to teach even while hospitalized. Her inspiring commitment to education and her community remains a testament to the resilience of educators during the pandemic. Her family has started a GoFundMe to cover funeral costs, hoping her story will bring awareness to the struggles faced by many.