A tragic incident has recently struck a family in Atherton, Greater Manchester, as a young first-time mother and her newborn baby passed away within hours of each other, leaving their loved ones devastated. The young mum, Mellodie-Ocean Jarman, aged 19, had expressed feeling faint and dizzy on her way to a routine pregnancy scan on Friday, January 31st. During the scan, Mellodie was informed by a doctor that she was ‘low on iron’ after disclosing her symptoms. Despite receiving medication and antibiotics, Mellodie continued to experience breathing difficulties and vision problems the next day at home. She was quickly rushed to the Royal Bolton Hospital, where paramedics attempted to revive her through CPR.
Upon arrival at the hospital, a sudden emergency C-section was performed, leading to the premature birth of baby Athena-Pearl in the early hours of Sunday, February 2nd. Sadly, Mellodie passed away just an hour after the operation, while little Athena-Pearl’s survival chances were slim. Mellodie, who leaves behind her 18-year-old partner, Daniel Darbyshire, and her grieving mother Justine Ryan, endured a heart-wrenching scenario where Athena-Pearl was placed in her arms as her life support was turned off.
The family, now grappling with the emotional toll of their loss, faces the daunting prospect of covering steep funeral expenses. Describing Mellodie as a vibrant and candid individual who found humour in life’s challenges, her mother Justine shared, “She knew what she wanted in life and always found the banter and funny side in things. She was a real character.” Mellodie’s uncle, Steven Darby, highlighted the family’s struggle to comprehend the tragic events, as Mellodie had no known health complications prior to this unforeseen incident.
Steven expressed the family’s gratitude towards the medical teams at the hospital, acknowledging their dedicated efforts during this traumatic period. He mentioned, “It was deeply traumatic [in hospital] but the doctors and neo-natal team were absolutely fantastic, and they all tried their absolute best to save the baby.” The community has rallied behind the family during this difficult time, with a fundraiser set up to alleviate the financial burden of the funeral costs.
In an act of unimaginable grief, Mellodie’s partner, Daniel, faced the unbearable loss of both his beloved Mellodie and their newborn daughter Athena-Pearl. Struggling to come to terms with the sudden turn of events, the family is receiving support from friends, relatives, and well-wishers. Anyone willing to contribute to the fundraiser can do so via the link provided: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mellodieocean-jarman-athenapearl-darbyshire.
As the family seeks answers and solace amidst this heartbreaking tragedy, their story stands as a poignant reminder of life’s fragility and the resilience of the human spirit in times of immense adversity. The untimely passing of Mellodie and Athena-Pearl has left a profound impact on those who knew them, showcasing the importance of cherishing every moment with our loved ones. May their memories live on as a testament to the enduring love and strength that binds families together in the face of unimaginable loss.