A Dundee woman received a warm welcome from care home staff after recovering from coronavirus ahead of her 98th birthday.
Domenica Cabrelli, popularly known as Sundie, tested positive three weeks ago and had to be quarantined after developing mild symptoms at Tigh-Na-Muirn in Monifieth.
The “inspirational” 97-year-old missed being able to communicate with other residents as she fought the virus but staff ensured she had everything she needed as she isolated, including her favourite Laurel and Hardy DVDs.
Her son Mark shared the heart-warming moment staff at the facility greeted her back into the common area.
Sundie will celebrate her 98th birthday on June 9 and Mark said he always knew his mother would be able to recover.
“She has always had a very strong character and spirit and that’s come to show itself as she’s beat the coronavirus.
“Although we were worried about her we knew she would overcome it and we’re delighted to see she has bounced back to full health so I’m looking forward to being able to see her again, although we speak on the phone every day.
“Socialising is so important to her and I don’t think she was enjoying being in her room all of the time so it’s great to see her receive a warm welcome now she’s better.”
Sundie is a well-known figure in the city as she ran the popular family chip shop Cabrelli’s on the Hawkhill, alongside her husband Peter.
She is also a life-long Dundee United fan and previously held a season ticket, as Peter once played for the club, as well as rivals Dundee.
Staff at Tigh-Na-Muirn have said Sundie’s recovery was “inspirational” as she kept her sense of humour throughout the isolation period.
Mark said: “The staff have been great and Tigh-Na-Muirn really are a top-class facility.
“They look after residents very well and I think a lot of that is to do with the fact that there is such a high staff to resident ratio so they can give a lot more time to the people there.
“My mum received excellent care and it was nice that we also were kept in the loop the whole way.
“The quarantine wouldn’t have been easy for her but I think the fact they made sure she was always kept occupied would have been a great help.”
