Tragedy after Sydney mother-of-three dies just weeks after giving birth – as her family issues an urgent warning
A grieving family has issued a poignant plea after a mother-of-three died with an undiagnosed heart condition just five weeks after giving birth.
Cathy MacGuinness, 40, was rushed to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on Easter Sunday after she suffered a cardiac arrest at home.
She spent almost three weeks in an induced coma before she died surrounded by loved ones on Saturday night.
Ms MacGuinness is survived by her partner, Sebastian, and their three children – seven-year-old Zoe, three-year-old Rosie and newborn Goldie.
The tragedy has prompted her family to urge everyone, particularly busy mothers, to be vigilant about their health and not to ignore minor symptoms.
Ms MacGuinness was unaware that she had dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes the heart to enlarge and struggle to pump blood effectively.
Her family believe that she would still be alive today had she been diagnosed and put on medication.
‘What’s so tragic is that Cathy’s death could have been avoided,’ sister-in-law Gillian Binchy-MacGuinness told Daily Mail.
Sydney mother-of-three Cathy MacGuinness (pictured) died from an undiagnosed heart condition just three months after her 40th birthday
Her partner Sebastian (pictured) will raise three little girls, including a newborn, on his own
Cathy suffered a cardiac arrest at home two weeks after giving birth to Goldie
‘As a mum myself, we often put our families ahead of ourselves and our health by not listening to our bodies.
‘Our hope is that Cathy’s story has a silver living and saves lives.’
Symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy include fatigue, shortness of breath during activity or while lying flat, and swelling in the legs, ankles or abdomen, as well as palpitations, dizziness, chest pain and reduced exercise capacity.
‘Cathy put her symptoms down to being a busy mum who was always on her feet,’ Ms Binchy-MacGuinness said.
‘Our message to everyone, especially women, is to not dismiss symptoms and look after yourself.’
She added that her grieving brother-in-law has been a pillar of strength to his little girls as he adjusts to becoming a solo parents.
Ms MacGuinness was described as ‘magic in human form’, who lit up every room she walked into and tackled all of life’s challenges head-on.
As she took her final breaths, her hospital room was decorated from floor to ceiling with art, photos, messages and origami from everyone who loved her.
Cathy would still be alive today had she been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy
Cathy’s daughters and partner were her entire world
‘She had this rare and extraordinary ability to really see you – to look at you and make you feel truly known, exactly as you are,’ close friend Joanna Allen wrote on GoFundMe.
‘She accomplished everything she sets her mind to, looked incredible doing it and still made everyone else feel a million bucks at the end.’
While Ms MacGuinness had a successful corporate career with Microsoft, the Commonwealth Bank, and most recently, aerospace company Alauda, it was her family that she cherished the most.
‘Seb and her girls were her entire world, her greatest love, her proudest achievement, her reason for everything,’ Ms Allen continued.
‘And beyond that, her love stretched wide and deep – to her mum and dad, her brothers and sister and all of their families.
‘She didn’t just love them, she cherished every single moment with them. She felt like the luckiest woman alive to call them hers.’
Cathy’s family now urge everyone to be vigilant about their health and not dismiss minor symptoms. She is pictured with seven-year-old Zoe and three-year-old Rosie
Like many families, Ms MacGuinness and her partner did not have life insurance, believing they had their lives ahead of them.
‘It’s taught us how life can be so short and fragile,’ Ms Allen told Daily Mail.
The fundraiser has raised more than $130,000 within three days of launching.
