National Day of Reflection: remembering all those we have lost during this pandemic

Today, this National Day of Reflection, we remember those members of staff who we sadly lost due to COVID-19.

As a country we will commemorate this with a minute’s silence at noon and a doorstep candle vigil at 8pm.
We also want to take a moment to remember all the members of staff who have passed away whether due to COVID-19 or for other reasons, and to all our staff who have lost loved ones this year.

Below you can see tributes to some of our staff which have been shared with family permission.

Lola Aladejana

Lola Aladejana was a long-term bank worker, who held a variety of admin roles in clinical support and medical specialties at University College Hospital. More recently, she worked as a receptionist on the main desk at the hospital. She worked with us for four years.

Lola’s husband, Ayo, said: “We married in May 2001 and God blessed us with three children.

“Lola was a wonderful wife, a mother and my friend. She was a minister of the gospel that loved Jesus and very passionate to see that people come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Through her Youtube channel "Get Real with Beloved Lola," she has touched many life's with a message of love and the grace of Jesus Christ, she will be greatly missed. She had so much love for her family and for her community. She was a mentor and inspirational speaker to teenagers.

“The 17 years of our marriage were heaven on earth. We enjoyed it to the fullest.

“We had great plans to set up a charity to help those from poorer backgrounds this year.

“I am going to miss her for the rest of my life, but I thank God for the life we were able to spend together. You are always in my heart, and continue to rest in the bosom of Jesus Christ till we meet again.”

Jennie Sablayan

Jennie Sablayan was a specialist haematology nurse who trained in the Philippines before she joined UCLH in 2002. An expert in her field, Jennie looked after patients with leukaemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers with much kindness and great dedication.

Her husband Joel Sablayan said: “Jennie took pride in her work in UCLH and always determined to do the best for the people she was looking after. There are no words to describe the pain of loosing my wife and the mother of our two young girls, but I know that she made an impact on people’s lives and we are forever proud of her dedication to her profession.”

Her sister, Diane, added: “I thank You Lord for my sister, and the wonderful life You blessed her with.

“Jennie, I miss you so dearly and I will always have this profound longing in my heart to hug you and to say how much I love you. I miss our chats, the laughter and the crying we shared together. Everything reminds me of you, wherever I look, I see you. How I wish I’d wake up from this deep sleep and there you are again, smiling back at me.

“I thank the Lord for the opportunity of having you, and the light and joy you brought into our lives. You never failed to be the best sister, daughter, wife, mother and friend one could ever have.

“You were such a beautiful angel. I can understand why God would want you on his side so soon for all eternity.

“An angel who landed here on earth, who never failed to share the overflowing love she had. You are indeed a woman of great faith and character. You carried your light absolutely well, I will always be a proud big sister.

"We love you to the moon and back, you will remain in our hearts forever. Farewell for now my dear sister, until we meet again.”

Felicity Sarah Siyachitema

Felicity Sarah Siyachitema worked in clinical support as a switchboard operator since 2017.

Her son Tapiwa Nyatoro said: “Felicity was a loving mother of two and loved visiting and spending time with family. She was a passionate football fan and also loved BBQs.”

Brian Manley, operational switchboard manager, said: “Felicity was one of the nicest people you could meet.

“From her interview day to her last shift this April, that little smile she wore was always present, nothing to tough or difficult to handle. Although Felicity was only with us for a year, she has left us all deeply saddened. Switchboard has lost a member of its family and she will be missed after working so closely with the team.

“Felicity was totally dedicated and committed to working here at UCLH and came to us from Guy’s and St Thomas no stranger to traveling to London from Southend, never late and always willing to take on extra work.

“On behalf of switchboard and UCLH, we offer our condolences to Felicity’s family and friends.”

Luis Carlos Villada

Luis Carlos Villada was employed by Interserve Portering and had worked as a porter at UCLH for 20 years.

Pilar, his wife, said: “Luis Carlos was 63 years old. He was a father of 4 children.

“He had been working for the NHS and UCLH for most of his life. He was a Patient Support Assistant, always dedicated to the patients and his family.

“He was always smiling and happy, a real gentleman with a kind heart that would provide help to anyone. He was very much loved by his family and friends. We miss him every day. He will always be in our hearts.

“He loved travelling and also being together with friends for nice dinners or barbecues. He liked design and architecture.”

His manager Rolandas Dovidaitis added: “Luis was a real part of the portering family at UCLH. He had a real sense of humour and was always helping people. He used to listen to everyone and was really kind.

“He was very popular, not just within the portering team, but with everyone at UCLH.”

Soran Chawishly

Soran Chawishly, a much-loved medical services specialist who was attached to our outreach hospital-based community ENT clinics, had delivered local care for around 30 years. He had been shielding for some time before his death.

UCLH chief executive Marcel Levi said: “UCLH staff will remember Soran for his dedication and kindness, and an easy friendliness which endeared him to everyone who met him. We will all miss him, especially his ENT colleagues and patients who knew him as someone who took great pride in his profession and worked hard to pass on his knowledge to others.

“Our thoughts are with Thana, his wife of 47 years, his family, friends and other loved ones.”

Fatima Sonawar

Fatima Sonawar, 37, was an endoscopy booking coordinator at UCLH.

UCLH chief executive Marcel Levi said: “Fatima was much loved in the endoscopy department and was known for her sweetness and charm, as well as her ability to break the ice and connect with her colleagues on a personal as well as a professional level.

“The endoscopy team will remember her as someone for whom family was important, who was natural and unselfconscious, always made time for her colleagues, and worked hard to improve her career prospects.

“We are very shocked and saddened that she has left us so soon, and our thoughts are with her husband Shohel, their three-year-old son, other family, friends and all her loved ones.”

Alhaji Sulaiman

Alhaji Sulaiman was an important member of our portering team.

Known as Haji, he worked as a porter at Westmoreland Street for more than 22 years. He was one of the first porters at the hospital when it opened.

Haji, 67, sadly died on Saturday 23 January after contracting COVID-19.

Marcel Levi, chief executive of UCLH, said: “Haji was a much-valued member of our team who was hard working, kind and considerate to patients and staff alike.

“He was always putting smiles on the faces of his colleagues, even when his beloved Liverpool FC had not played too well. He was an absolute pleasure to work with and will be dearly missed.

“Our thoughts are with Haji’s family, friends and close colleagues at this difficult and very sad time.”