KENMORE, N.Y. (WKBW) — According to a GoFundMe page, Joan Neudecker was a nurse who lost her battle with COVID-19.
She had been working at the McAuley Residence in Kenmore for about 15 years. The GoFundMe page was created by her daughter to cover funeral expenses.
She believes her mother contracted the virus because she wasn't provided with proper PPE.
A spokesperson for Catholic Health said all staff are provided with in-stock surgical grade procedural masks. N95 respirator masks are provided to staff who are caring for patients or residents with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
And before April 25, there were no confirmed or suspected cases in the nursing home.
The spokesperson also said "On behalf of Catholic Health and McAuley Residence, our deepest sympathy goes out to the family of Joan Neudecker. She will be missed by her McAuley Residence family."
On April 25, two residents at McAuley Residence, had high temperatures after a routine temperature check and tested positive for COVID-19.
The health system said it tested all residents in the facility’s two long term care units, and all staff throughout the facility. Additional residents and staff members tested positive.
All COVID-positive residents were transferred to the St. Joseph Post-Acute Center, a COVID-only nursing home established by Catholic Health.
On Sunday, Gov. Cuomo announced the state will require nursing homes to test workers twice a week.
Neudecker's family is more than halfway towards their $5,000 goal.
