PHOENIX — An Arizona mother of two died of COVID-19 over the weekend, as one of her sons is in an ICU with COVID-19 as well.
Noa Bailey, 41, was admitted to a Phoenix ICU in mid-January and passed away on Sunday leaving behind her son Jonathan Diaz, 24, who is still in an ICU, and another son, Elias Lendo who just turned 18.
Lendo, a student at Tempe High School, turned 18 while his mother was in the ICU.
Lendo has no other immediate family in Arizona besides his brother who is still hospitalized in what the family describes as critical condition.
The 18-year-old has posted updates about his family on a GoFundMe account that was set up by a family friend to help pay for the funeral expenses, medical bills and help with rent.
Elias wrote before his mother’s passing, “My mom went into the Emergency Room with COVID-19 symptoms and was immediately admitted into the ICU at St. Lukes in Phoenix Arizona. She was requiring 45% oxygen support. She was put onto a ventilator for 2 weeks and just a few days ago (January 25th) she was taken off of the ventilator! She has lost a lot of weight, weighing only 80 lbs, and is still in the ICU. Soon she will start rehabilitation to be able to sit up and move.
My brother Jonathan who is 24 was experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms and after seeing that he was not getting any better at home went to the Emergency Room at Valleywise Medical Center. He too was admitted immediately into the ICU and put onto a ventilator to fully support his lung function. Without much improvement, he was transported to Phoenix Children's Hospital to undergo ECMO to oxygenate his blood. Because of the possible infections related to keeping someone intubated through the mouth he yet again had to undergo a procedure, this time a tracheostomy. He remains on a tracheostomy ventilator. Recently he was transported to St. Judes Hospital for long term care.
I am not sure what the future holds but am hoping for both my brother and mom to recover so we can be together once again. My Mom is an avid hiker, yogi, and all around best mom to her two boys. My Brother is amazing and has always looked out for me. If you can help our family out I would greatly appreciate it.
With love and appreciation,
Elias.”
The site posted an update about Noa’s condition saying she passed over the weekend, “On February 6th Noa’s soul ascended her earthly body. She fought hard for 26 days. Now more than ever we have to rally behind Elias and help him navigate through life. We still hold hope for Jonathan’s recovery. Please keep Noa’s loved ones in your thoughts.”
The family of Bailey tells ABC15 that she appeared to be recovering, was taken off a ventilator, and was talking but days later she was placed back in an ICU with different organs failing before she passed.
A family friend will take care of Lendo for now, "she did everything for her boys, that was her reason for living for her boys," said Erika Hernandez, "all her hard work, she had two jobs, sometimes more, and everything was for her kids."