Takoma Park Mom With Coronavirus Dies After Giving Birth To Son

TAKOMA PARK, MD — The family of Wogene Debele — who died from COVID-19 shortly after giving birth to her fourth child — has set up a GoFundMe page to seek out financial assistance.

Wogene, a Takoma Park resident, contracted the new coronavirus shortly before her due date, according to the fundraiser. She died soon after giving birth to a baby boy named Levi. She never got the chance to meet him.

She is survived by her husband, Yilma Asfaw Tadesse, and their four children —Mihret, 17, Naod, 10, Asher, 4, and Levi.

"Wogene was kind, joyful, and a source of strength to her family and to all who knew her," Tsion Andualem and Tsegaye Dessalegn, the organizers of the fundraiser, wrote. "Wogene's family needs our support now more than ever. Your generous donations will help her husband in his role as a single parent."

As of 5 p.m. Thursday, GoFundMe has raised $155,885 raised of the $200,000 goal. In just under a day, nearly 3,000 people have donated to the page.