Sarah Simental’s parents said she had no other health problems and yet the virus took her life so young.
“She called me crying to say that, you know, ‘Mom, I’m going to miss Christmas’. And I had to assure her that it’s only one day on the calendar and when she gets home, ‘We’ll do Christmas with you.’ … unfortunately she didn’t, “said her mother, Deborah Simental.
COVID-19 killed the last year of high school in a matter of days. Her mother said Sarah’s headache turned into a sore throat and body aches on December 23. It was enough to take the daughter to the hospital.
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The mother said that Simental had no health problems and did not take medication. But as her symptoms worsened, doctors flew the sick teenager to the University of Chicago Hospital.
Her family said it was when things got worse quickly.
“I have no words for it. I just can’t believe how fast it has progressed,” said his father, Don Simental.
“It literally consumed her,” added her mother. “And no parent should have to watch their son go through this.”
His only moment of peace – wrapped in unimaginable agony – was to be beside his daughter’s bed when she passed.
“She said, ‘I’m going to be fine, mom.’ And that was the last thing, “said Deborah Simental.” So I know she knows that, eventually, we’ll all be fine. We’ll miss her, but we’ll be fine. “
Sarah would have graduated from Lincoln Way East High School in a few months. She dreamed of taking care of animals – a sign of compassion that her family says they will miss most.
“I’m thinking that I’m going to miss some real milestones that every mother wants to have with her daughter,” said Deborah Simental.
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