Stonehouse girl dies after contracting a rare virus

Jul 28 2011 by Sandra Walls, Hamilton Advertiser

AN eight-year-old girl who died from a rare virus will today (Thursday) be laid to rest.

Mourners at the funeral of Lucy Boslem have been asked to wear bright colours instead of black.

Lucy, of Sandyvale, Stonehouse, passed away on Sunday, July 17 at 1.30pm.

Distraught dad Liam told how that morning he heard his daughter crying in her bedroom and found that she was having a type of seizure.

She was taken to Wishaw General and diagnosed with a virus that was affecting her heart.

A doctor told Liam that she had only seen four cases of that type of virus in the last 20 years.

Lucy’s condition worsened during the day and she became distressed.

As her heart was beating faster than it should have been, medical staff decided to anaesthetise her and help her with her breathing.

It was hoped to move Lucy to Yorkhill Hospital for further treatment and a team of specialists were put on stand-by there.

However, her condition did not stabilise sufficiently and she died at 1.30pm – little more than four hours after she had suffered the seizure.

Lucy is survived by her dad Liam and mum Elaine, grown-up sister Nicole and grandmother May.

Liam said: “We never thought for one minute on the way to the hospital that morning that we wouldn’t be bringing our little girl home.

“At first it was thought by paramedics that she may be diabetic, so we were worried about that being the worst-case scenario.

“After Lucy passed away we didn’t want to come back to the house without her and it was so strange seeing all her things just the way she’d left them.”

Lucy was full of life and a very sociable little girl.

She attended Stonehouse Primary School for the last four years after moving to the village from Hairmyres in East Kilbride.

She will be sorely missed in her class by her teacher Sandra Neill and friends that she made including, Devon, Darcy, Rachel, Ailidh, Katy, Sophie, Keris, Sam, Jenny, Jamie and not forgetting cousin Ava, who she regarded as her wee sister.

She was known as and called herself Lucy ‘B’ as there was another Lucy in her class.

She attended Brownies and Guides, played piano and was a keen swimmer.

She was also part of the ‘Goldstar’ cheerleading dance troupe for two years.

Lucy was also well known to members of Stonehouse Bowling Club and to residents of McLean Gardens Sheltered Housing, where her grandmother took her after school.

She played bingo with OAPs at the sheltered housing and called out the bingo numbers.

A keen reader, her favourite books included works by Roald Dahl, and she had recently been reading ‘Diary of A Wimpy Kid’.

Her favourite TV shows included Hannah Montana and the Wizard of Waverly Place and she loved listening and dancing around to lots of different music.

Her family thanked neighbours and friends for their cards and condolences.

Liam said: “We have been truly overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness and kindness shown, which has given us all great strength.

“We would also like to thank the staff of Wishaw General Hospital who worked so hard for Lucy, as well as the police officers in attendance who were a great comfort to us, especially Alan Paterson.

“Thanks to minister Paul Grant and chaplain Kathryn Anderson for giving us such incredible support.”

Liam wrote his daughter a poem that will be read out during her funeral service, the last two lines said: “Our cuddling, laughing, loving Lucy B.

“Night honey, love you, God bless.”

Lucy’s funeral is taking place this morning (July 28) at 11am in St Ninian’s Parish Church, Stonehouse, and the service is being conducted by Rev Grant.

After the church service, mourners will move on to Glebe Cemetery, Stonehouse, for the internment.

Liam added: “Lucy’s favourite colour was pink, so we want everyone to turn up in nice, bright, comfortable summer clothes. That’s what Lucy would like.”