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Mother dies alone from COVID-19

Posted at 12:34 PM, Apr 24, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-24 12:34:58-04

BROWN CO. — COVID-19 has killed people world wide.

Families have been unable to hold traditional funerals around the world.

Maria Wildbridge was unable to be at her mother's side. Maria works in the Marion County Prosecutor's Office as a Spanish translator in all major trials.

Only one month ago, her mother died of COVID-19 alone in Spain. Luckily, Wildbridge's mother had visited Indiana weeks before she was killed by the coronavirus.

Josefina Linares Mendez, Wildbridge's mother, enjoyed the shops, scenic views and seasonal charms in Nashville. It's what connected the matriarch from Madrid to Brown County.

This was her second trip to Indiana in 20 years to visit her daughter.

Wildbridge is one of nine children, eight girls and one boy born to Josefina and Miguel Romero. Josefina was the seamstress who made the children's clothing.

The family grew up in Madrid where she had a big 80th birthday party in September.

This past February, Josefina returned to Indiana to visit her grandson at Purdue and take in Nashville.

When the cancer survivor returned to Spain, COVID19 would take her life.

She died alone, she was cremated, and honored in a private burial.

The Queen La Reina of her family lives on in their memories and hearts.

Her Hoosier family says they feel blessed by her last trip to Indiana knowing that their love and being together was the best place to be.