Cuddles from mum and dad as Bishop’s Stortford tot Lucie Jarrett passes away at home

Lucie Jarrett, the 18-month-old tot who “made everyone fall in love with her instantly”, has passed away at home in Bishop’s Stortford, surrounded by her family.

The little girl had been fighting to survive since she suffered a seizure and went into cardiac arrest on Wednesday July 16.

Her parents, Megan and Nick, both performed CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and she was taken to hospital and placed in an induced coma.

However, by Wednesday last week (July 23), her family was told there was no hope, and Lucie began receiving end-of-life care at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

On Thursday (July 24) she was taken off the ventilator. Her parents said: “We got told to expect her to only be with us a few hours, but 21 hours later and she’s fighting and snoozing away on us.

“She is currently getting the best end-of-life care at Addenbrooke’s, and we are soaking up every minute of her. Thank you to everyone for the messages, love and prayers.”

Megan, 32, a full-time mum, and Nick, 40, an Evri parcel delivery driver, were then able to take their little girl home for the last time.

On Sunday (July 27) they told family and friends: “Our gorgeous, strong, sweet, loving girl passed away this morning at 3.03am in her sleep at home.

“She was in no pain and no discomfort, and she is now resting peacefully, awaiting her next journey.

“She will be so missed by everyone who knew her and loved her. She made everyone fall in love with her instantly. She was one of a kind.”

They told the Indie: “She died as a result of mitochondrial disease, and we want people to be aware of what that is, as we had never heard of it.

“It’s not a disease that shows itself until it’s too late, basically, and she was born with it.”

According to the NHS, the disease is caused by the mitochondria in the cells of the body not producing enough energy. The condition commonly affects the brain, muscles, liver, heart and kidneys. There is currently no cure.

Lucie was born prematurely on January 4, 2024. When she left the neonatal intensive care unit at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow after six-and-a-half weeks, staff taught Megan and Nick how to perform the life-saving chest compression and breathing technique.

They hope that encouraging others to learn CPR and first aid will be part of Lucie’s legacy.

In recent months, their little girl suffered from ill health, which affected her development, but they said she remained “a bright light in all our families’ lives”.

Amie Booth has set up a GoFundMe appeal to support former Herts and Essex High School student Megan and Nick, a former St Mary’s Catholic School pupil.

The fund for Lucie’s care, which has topped £4,000, will now help with funeral expenses. Details have yet to be finalised.

To donate, see https://www.gofundme.com/f/j8xw4s-help-for-lucie.