The husband of a heavily pregnant Manchester teacher who died suddenly – just three weeks before she was due to give birth to their daughter – has paid tribute to his ‘rock’.
Catherine Moston, 35, was teaching classes on Wednesday when she was suddenly became unwell and later had to be rushed to hospital.
She and unborn second child Esther Grace died despite the efforts of doctors to save them.
Her husband, Matt Moston, 38, has now spoken of his devastation as he and the couple’s first child, three-year-old daughter Isla face a future without her.
”She was my rock really. It’s just so hard, I don’t know how I’m going to cope. I don’t feel like I can but I suppose we will have to,” he said.
“I cannot believe what happened because Cath had been fine during the whole pregnancy and was fine when she was pregnant with Isla.”
”She was very much looking forward to becoming a mother for the second time – and this has all happened completely out of the blue. The doctors said it’s a very very rare thing to happen which is why no-one was expecting it.
“Isla knows something is wrong and we have tried to explain it the best we can but I don’t think she fully understands what has happened. She knows mummy isn’t here but I think she thinks she’ll come back. We have said she’s gone away to be an angel.
”She was so important to me and our family, she kept us all together. She was an amazing mum to Isla. She loved being a mum. She left no stone unturned working out how to get the best for Isla. She organised our whole lives.”
HEART-BREAKING: Cath with Matt and Isla on holiday before tragedy struck (© Cavendish Press)
Tests how now being carried out to establish the cause of what happened but it is believed she suffered a reuptured placentra and internal bleeding due to complications over the way Esther Grace was facing in the womb.
News of the tragedy emerged in a letter to parents by Alison Crompton headmistress at Middleton Technology College, near Rochdale, Greater Manchester where Mrs Moston was head of science.
The teacher – who was said to have ‘put pupils first and herself second’ was 37 weeks into her pregnancy.
Mr Moston said the weekend before her death, the couple had spent time with family and friends. He added: ”She was looking like a ray of health and she was just so excited about the baby. This has been so sudden. It’s still so raw, such a shock, we just can’t believe she’s not here any more.
Mrs Moston who had one sister and two brothers attended St Bede’s College in South Manchester before studying to become a teacher. She and Matt met at a wedding in October 2003 – and married exactly five years later in 2008.
She became head of science at 1,030 pupil Middleton Technology College, where she worked for 10 years and was seconded to other schools so she could help others with her teaching skills.
She was a member of the PTA at Isla’s school, St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary in Shaw and was a regular member of the congregation at St Joseph’s RC Church.
She also enjoyed walking and the couple had a big extended family who would spent Christmas and New Year in the Yorkshire Dales together.
The tragedy occurred after doctors warned Mrs Moston Esther Grace was in a breach position. She had an appointment at the hospital on Thursday to try to move her but 24 hours before the appointment Mrs Moston developed stomach pains.
She phoned a midwife and was taken home on advice by her parents to rest. But her condition deteriorated and she was rushed into hospital by ambulance – where she was said to be in ‘agony, pale, cold to the touch but complaining of a fever’.
Paramedics tried to treat Cath in the ambulance but she stopped breathing after suffering a cardiac arest. She was given CPR but Esther Grace had died in the womb. Mrs Moston herself died five hours later at 5pm.
Her father Peter Lee, 70, said in a statement: ”She was passionate about teaching and she was very, very good.
”Her lessons were always rated outstanding in Ofsted inspections. She was very bubbly, loving and popular, she had lots of friends. She was always well liked, she was just that sort of person and that came out in her teaching. We hadn’t realised just how popular she was until now.”
In a letter to parents, headteacher Allison Crompton wrote: ”Sadly, I write to inform you that one of our members of staff, Mrs Cath Moston, died suddenly last night along with her unborn child.
”The whole school community is immensely saddened and shocked by Cath’s death and we send our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to all of Cath’s family and friends.
”I am unable to give any more details but what we do know is that Cath was a brilliant teacher and colleague who was extremely well regarded professionally and well liked by everyone, and will be greatly and sadly missed.
”We understand that students and staff will quite rightly be upset and grieving for Cath and we have set up the appropriate listening services for anyone in the school community who would like our help and support.
”Once again I’m sure you join with me in sending our thoughts and prayers to all Cath’s family and friends and hope that it is some comfort to them to know we are thinking about them.”
Former pupils left messages on Twitter expressing shock at the trageddy. Marie Taylor said: ”Horrible news about my old science teacher Mrs Moston! Truly one of the most loveliest women I know. RIP.”
Becca said: ”RIP to Mrs Moston (Miss Lee as I knew her). One of the most wonderful women & one of the best teachers I had. Thoughts to her family xxx.”
Jessica Skinnner said: ”Cannot believe Mrs Moston has died, she was the only reason I passed science.”
Another wellwisher said: ”Mrs Moston put her student first and herself second very much unselfish also a very respectable woman thoughts go to her 3 year old.”
Faye Kennedy said: ”Genuinely really really upset that Mrs Moston passed away last night and her unborn child.
”She was such an amazing teacher and person and inspired so many young scientists like myself, absolutely gutted. Thoughts to her family and friends RIP xx.”
Story and pictures via Cavendish Press.
Image courtesy of Hazelisles, with thanks
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