An Indiana mother of two who died suddenly on a flight home from the Dominican Republic seemed happy and healthy during her vacation — recently telling a friend, “I don’t want anyone to have a bad day.” This was revealed in a report by the Post.
Chris Volz said Tuesday of his tragic sister Stephanie Smith, 41, her boyfriend and another couple who went on the trip: “From everything I saw on the video, they were having a great time. ” he said.
Volz told the newspaper that neither he nor other family members knew that Smith had a medical condition before traveling to the Caribbean on February 24.
They said they were left with many questions after she suddenly became seriously ill on an American Airlines flight home last week.
When Smith developed fatal symptoms, the plane was diverted to the Turks and Caicos Islands and he was taken to a hospital to no avail.
The family is now planning to send their own doctor to the Caribbean to conduct an autopsy before bringing her body back to the United States for a memorial service.
“There are still a lot of unknowns,” Volz said.
When he first heard the news of his sister’s death from his parents on Wednesday night, he said he couldn’t “believe it was real” because everything around him was moving in “slow motion.”
He’s not alone, he said.
“Everyone is in shock. We’re all just waiting for news,” Volz said, adding that she misses her sister’s frequent phone calls because she “always wanted to know that she loved me.” He said he would think so.
One of Ms Smith’s colleagues wrote on social media that she had struggled to come to terms with her friend’s sudden death.
“I can’t remember the last time I felt so heartbroken” Christina Swinney I wrote it on Thursday. “Today’s news has devastated us.
“My days at work will be forever changed,” she said, adding that the two “just had a conversation about how I don’t want anyone to have a bad day…You’re no part of that.” “I didn’t do it,” he claimed.
Swinney described her friend at South Bend Memorial Hospital, where Smith was an X-ray technician, as “work energy.”
“I was confused today when I looked to my left and saw you gone and knew you weren’t coming back, Steph,” she wrote.
“It’s empty and quiet. My only comfort is knowing where you are now.”
Swinney has since launched an online fundraiser for Smith’s children, Cohen and Macy, but Bolz said they are now in the care of their father and other family members. .
Ms Swinney said her sister’s main priority in life was caring for her children, and Ms Swinney said the teenagers were Mr Smith’s “everything”.
“She gave her all for you every day and worked hard to provide for both of you,” she said. In an attempt to promote the fundraiser, she wrote: — As of Tuesday evening, the family had earned more than $72,000.
“This GoFundMe will not ease your pain, but please move forward and know that your mom wants you to reach your goals and always strive to be a better version of yourself.
“The love she shared with Cohen and Macy cannot be measured or explained in words,” the foundation added.
“Also, her boundless love for her family, friends and community will leave a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
“Stephanie will be greatly missed by all who knew her. We pray that her memory of a gentle soul will live on forever.”
