Two young girls have been left orphaned after their parents tragically died within just 18 months of each other. Their mother, Hannah Whittall, bravely battled breast cancer while trying to shield her 11 year old twin daughters, Isabelle and Emmy, from the harsh reality of her diagnosis, especially as they had lost their father to pneumonia the previous year.
Hannah, originally from Sutton Coldfield but later moved to Tamworth, underwent rigorous chemotherapy and a double mastectomy in August 2024. On September 12, she was given the all-clear, sparking joyous celebrations amongst her family. However, just one month later, the cancer cruelly returned, this time spreading to her bones.
Despite being admitted to hospital in December with fluid in her lungs and pneumonia, she managed to spend one last Christmas at home with her beloved daughters. Sadly, complications from pneumonia, the HMPV virus and sepsis led to her readmission to hospital. Hannah passed away on January 14 this year, surrounded by her loved ones.
Her daughters were at her bedside, expressing their gratitude for her being their mum as she peacefully passed away, according to Hannah’s brother Thomas. Speaking about his nieces, who are now under the care of Hannah’s father and his wife, Thomas said: “They loved their mum and didn’t spend more than two days away from Hannah and the only time they did was when she was in hospital, they were obsessed with her,” reports The Mirror.
“After losing their dad, Hannah was their world – she was such a good mum. She did everything with them and took them everywhere. Just an active mum like a super mum. They said that they’d been worried about their dad being on his own in heaven, but now mummy was there to look after daddy and vice versa,” the 33 year old shared.
He added: “Hannah was so unlucky with things. It is so rare how aggressive the cancer came back and the treatments just weren’t working. She became extremely frail and then all the complications were horrible to watch. The girls were there when she died, which was heartbreaking. They didn’t know she had cancer. They just thought she was poorly. They were sitting by her bedside saying, thank you, mummy, for everything you’ve taught us; thank you for the dinners you’ve made us.”
Hannah’s mother, Phyllis Whitsell, provided care for her at Good Hope Hospital during her final weeks. She felt more comfortable being cared for by her mum, who was a nurse for 50 years, and so Phyllis stayed with her to do so. Thomas added: “The doctors and nurses still did their bit, but my mum never left her side.”
Thomas is now fundraising on GoFundMe for the twin’s continued care, and in just a few days, they have raised almost £30,000.
