Sydney mum Cathy MacGuinness, 40, dies suddenly weeks after giving birth to third child
The family of a mother who died suddenly weeks after giving birth due to an undiagnosed heart condition are urging mothers to prioritize their health.
Sydney mother Cathy MacGuinness suffered a heart attack at her home on Easter Sunday and died in hospital almost three weeks after falling into a coma.
Her sister-in-law, Gillian Binchy-MacGuinness, said the mother-of-three suffered from dilated cardiomyopathy, which has nuanced symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath and swelling in the legs.
She leaves behind her husband, Sebastian Fletcher, and three daughters, ages 7, 3 and 5 weeks.
Ms Binchy-MacGuinness said many mothers could face problems such as not getting a full night’s sleep, feeling exhausted most of the time and missing symptoms.
“We would really like mothers, in particular, to prioritize their own health and go and get those check-ups.
“Cathy seemed to be the picture of health for all of us, and for this to happen is an absolute tragedy.”
Ms Binchy-MacGuinness said there were no warning signs and the loss had changed the family forever.
“It’s been the hardest three weeks of our lives since we heard about what happened on Easter morning and it’s been a complete rollercoaster ever since,” he said.
“Seb has been a pillar of strength for his daughters. He supports them and does everything he can.”
Ms. MacGuinness’s friend, Joanna Allen, set up a GoFundMe to support the family with the unexpected loss, which has raised more than $155,000.
Ms. Allen paid tribute to her friend, saying he was one of those rare people who always showed his full self and lit up any room.
“He shows up to climb whatever Mount Everest has to offer him that day,” he said.
“He conquers it, then disappears in a cloud of sparkle, heading off to find the next thing to say yes to. Leaving the rest of us thinking, ‘Wow… what a person.’
“She accomplishes anything she sets her mind to, looks incredible while doing it, and still leaves everyone feeling a million dollars at the end.”
Ms. Allen said Ms. MacGuinness loved her family.
“Seb and his daughters were his whole world, his greatest love, his proudest achievement, the reason for everything,” she said.
Like many young families, Ms. MacGuinness and Mr. Fletcher did not have life insurance because they had their whole lives ahead of them, Ms. Allen said.
“So Seb is now facing an unimaginable situation – raising three daughters, one of whom is a newborn, while dealing alone with pain and loss that no one should ever have to face,” he said.
“We are raising funds to ease the immediate financial pressure on Seb. Every penny raised will go directly to Seb and the girls.”
