Sunderland dad Joe Jenkins given loving send-off by family and friends after losing his battle with coronavirus

His family and friends provided a loving send-off on Tuesday, April 21. Joe died earlier this month after contracting coronavirus.

He passed away on Wednesday, April 1 at Sunderland Royal Hospital surrounded by his wife and six children.

He was admitted to hospital on Saturday, March 28 after developing symptoms on holiday in Spain celebrating his Ruby Wedding anniversary with his wife.

His daughter, Eva Jenkins who described her dad as “a true gent” told the Echo that Joe had a good turnout at his funeral.

“Only seven of us were allowed in the crematorium, however loads of family and friends came and stood outside, making sure they were social distancing from one another,” she said.

“Speakers were put up so they could all hear the service and the staff left the doors open at our request.

“It felt awful being inside, we all had to sit apart so we couldn’t really comfort each other. Our partners couldn’t be with us, all I wanted to do was reach out to my family.”

Eva said the support from everyone has been fantastic and didn’t expect so many people to turn out for the funeral.

She added: “I’m thankful for the support we have received and was surprised at the amount of people who came.

“We played songs by Queen as they were my dad’s favourite band and because he was a massive football fan, we also played the Match of the Day theme song.

“One of my dad’s oldest friends came wearing his Celtic football shirt.

“Unfortunately loads of the family couldn’t be there as they are self-isolating but my Auntie Marion came, she’s much better now.”

Joe was the brother of Marion Jolliff, who was the first person in Sunderland to test positive for Covid-19.

She managed to beat the virus and afterwards said that “if it was not for the NHS, I wouldn’t have survived.”

Eva’s sister won a competition to host a free party after the lockdown is lifted. The prize will go towards a celebration of Joe’s life.

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