Final Act Of Love: Nurse Cares For Friend Dying Of Coronavirus

COMMACK, NY — As Long Islanders practice social distancing and make personal sacrifices as part of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, many look to those on the front lines as inspiration. Patch will be highlighting Long Islanders who are going above and beyond in their work and community to help during the COVID-19 health crisis.

One Patchogue family was grateful to a close family friend who ended up treating their uncle the day he was intubated at Long Island Community Hospital.

Ivette Gomez lives in Commack and is a registered nurse at Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue. She was nominated as a Long Island coronavirus hero by her relatives Debbie Campozano and Silvia Espinoza of Patchogue who are inspired by the personal sacrifices she has made.

Gomez hasn't seen her own children or grandson for the last month to keep them safe from COVID-19. Then among the many patients Gomez was caring for was a close family friend who succumbed to the virus on Wednesday.

"She was his nurse on the day he got intubated last week. She gave us the opportunity to speak on the phone with him and say goodbye without even knowing it was our goodbyes," Campozano told Patch.

"She is a great friend for all of us and did the best to make our uncle feel as good as he could while at the hospital as I am sure she is doing for all of her patients. We are so blessed Ivette was his nurse that day and we got to say goodbye to him. Thank you, Ivette, we love you."

If you know someone who should be featured—a health care worker, a first responder, a volunteer or anyone making a difference— email us at jboydsweet@gmail.com to nominate your local hero.