Mother’s agony as partner of 12 years dies after their daughter, 6

Mother’s agony as loving partner of 12 years becomes third in family to die in nine months after death of their six-year-old daughter and her older sister

  • Joey Ayres and Mark Barfoot’s lives shattered when daughter Lyla died in March
  • Youngster rushed to hospital complaining of headache before death from sepsis 
  • Last month, Mark had heart attack and died on way to pick up his granddaughter
  • Joey, from Lincoln, East Midlands, also lost her older sister Sharon early this year

A mother has told of her heartbreak after losing her partner just nine months after the death of their six-year-old daughter.

Joey Ayres and Mark Barfoot had their world shattered when Lyla died from sepsis in March, a week after she was rushed to hospital complaining of a headache. 

But a year from hell went from bad to worse after Mark collapsed and died on his way to collect their granddaughter, 2, after suffering a heart attack on November 13.

Paramedics and members of the public rushed to help but the 47-year-old was later pronounced dead in hospital at 6pm, the same time to the minute that Lyla died.


Mark Barfoot (shown left with his daughter Lyla) died half a year after his little girl died following a battle with sepsis in March

A devastated Joey, who also lost her sister Sharon this year, said: ‘I got calls from a lot of people – I was in total shock, I couldn’t believe it was happening again.’ 

‘Mark was a perfect dad – he really was. He was loving and kind and would do anything for anyone. Family was his life and his world.

‘I am heartbroken – we all are. It gives me comfort to know he [Mark] is up there with Lyla. My eldest sister Sharon passed away in a hospice this year.


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‘We have had three die in nine months. 2018 really has been a horrendous year. You couldn’t write it in a book.’

Despite her pain, the mother-of-seven, from Lincoln, East Midlands, says she put her pain to the back of her mind to ensure she is there for her family.

‘It is hard but I am trying to stay strong,’ she said. ‘I want to make Christmas as magical as possible for the kids and the grandchildren.

A GoFundMe page has now been set up by a friend to help raise money for the funeral and to support the family after the deaths of Lyla (pictured) and her father

‘Mark would have wanted me to carry on and be strong.’

The mother has also endured the most horrendous situation any parent could face – trying to explain to her 11-year-old son, Mason, that his father had died.

The couple’s 11-year-old son Mason (pictured)

‘Mason is heartbroken,’ she said. ‘He keeps saying Daddy is hiding and he is going to find him.

‘He said he can’t enjoy Christmas because it isn’t fair that his sister and dad aren’t here.

‘As a mother, that is heartbreaking to hear – it is the worst thing anyone can go through.’

Despite her grief, the mother says she is grateful for all those who tried to help Mark and all those who have worked to raise money to help support the family.

She added: ‘I want to thank One-Stop for doing some fund-raising for the family. I want to thank everyone who helped on the night Mark passed away.

‘I want to thank Ermine Primary Academy who are holding a memorial service for Lyla on December 13.’

A GoFundMe page has now been set up by a friend to help raise money for the funeral and to support the family.

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