The families of residents at a care home in Surbiton have paid a moving tribute to the people lost during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic 2020.

Ahead of the National Day of Reflection (March 23) Royal Star and Garter (RSG) care home in Surbiton said they had spoken with the families of Cora Young, Jean Ryder, and WWII veteran Betty Dawson, who all died at our Surbiton Home in April and May last year during the first national lockdown.

RSG said a cherry blossom tree would be planted in each of the charity’s three Homes on the National Day of Reflection to serve as a living memorial for residents, and for staff, who they said "worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic" caring for residents.

One of those offering reflections was Margaret Young, Cora's daughter.

"She had a ground-floor room and we spent many a happy time sitting in the garden having a chat and a cup of tea. I was so happy with the Home, I don’t think we could’ve chosen better," she said.

"I can only imagine how difficult it was for the staff in the Home. During that first month they couldn’t have been more communicative and helpful than they were. I’m so grateful that I was allowed to go and see her in that last week.

"Mum died in late April 2020. I honestly don’t know if she had Covid or not. I know staff suspected she did.

"When we knew she was dying, (Nurse) Jude called me on a Sunday to come in. I was in full PPE.

"When I walked into her room, Jude was sitting with her, reading a book about the community where Mum lived in Belfast. It was really beautiful. I talked to Mum and stayed with her a good, long time..."

Betty Dawson's daughter Pauline also described her mum and her final few days at the Surbiton home.

"Mum was a warm and thoughtful person, she was always interested in what her family was doing, even when she was 97," she said.

"She had a respiratory condition and issues with her chest. We used to have window visits and speak over the phone, but these were very stressful and distressing for both my mum and me. I could see she was deteriorating.

"I got to sit with her in her room the day before she died, on 7 April. I think she knew I was there. I wasn’t there when she died, but a nurse she was very fond of was, and that meant the world to me," she said.

Jean's daughter Karen offered reflections of her mum and her time in Surbiton that mirrored the others.

She said Jean, who moved to the home in 2014, "just loved people and she saw the good in everybody".

"I’ll never forget my husband and brother assisting her down the steep bank to the river when we went white-water rafting in Indonesia.

"Late one afternoon, the Home Manager, Helena, called to say she was concerned, and that they were putting my mother in isolation because she suspected it was Covid-19. On Friday her body started to close down.

"The Home was excellent.

"I only have happy memories of Royal Star and Garter and I still feel part of the family. It was a huge part of my life for six years," she added.