Watford General Hospital nurse Ate Wilma dies from coronavirus

The death of Wilma Banaag, also known as Ate Wilma, has hit colleagues hard after she passed away last Friday (April 17).

Mrs Banaag has been a nurse at Watford General Hospital since moving to the UK in 2001 and has worked at the Croxley ward ever since.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for the cost of her cremation service and for financial support for her family. Nearly £8,000 has been raised.

In the GoFundMe page, friend Maria Socorro Del Rosario described Mrs Banaag as a “very caring, compassionate, soft spoken and hardworking nurse".

She said: “(She was) So hard working, that up to her last days, she was still working in a Covid-19 ward.

“She is a devoted mother-of-three and a loving wife to Kuya Jun.”

In response to the donations, the fundraiser organiser said: “Your donations will go a long way with regards to the expenses that will be spent in laying her to rest.

“We have reached our goal, but we would like to ask for your continued support because we are planning to give the remaining of the money to her family, especially to her children who are living in the Philippines.

“Again, thank you very much for all your support and may our good Lord bless you all.”

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust has also paid tribute to its former staff member.

The trust said: “Many of you will know Wilma Banaag, or ‘Ate Wilma’ as she was affectionately known.

“She was a staff nurse on Croxley ward and her death on Friday has hit colleagues very hard.

“Ate Wilma, who joined us in 2001, was being treated for symptoms of Covid-19 at Watford General Hospital.

“She is described as ‘a truly kind and caring person, who would always be there to help and support others.’

“She is remembered for being a gentle, softly spoken and hardworking nurse with an unforgettable and infectious smile. She enjoyed her job caring for elderly patients and she will be very much missed.”

To donate to the GoFundMe page, visit here.