England World Cup winner Will Greenwood heartbroken as aunt dies from coronavirus with ‘so many more years to give’
FORMER England rugby union star Will Greenwood has revealed his aunt Jean has died after contracting coronavirus.
The 47-year-old shared the devastating news with an emotional post on Instagram, that also included a photo of his aunt, who was in her 80s.
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Greenwood, who won 55 caps for England between 1997 and 2004, had revealed on a podcast that his relative was battling the virus.
The centre was part of England’s 2003 World Cup-winning campaign, featuring in all but one of the games.
He played for Harlequins and Leicester during his club career.
Greenwood wrote on Instagram: “Many of you have been so kindly asking me about my Aunty Jean.
“I had mentioned in a newspaper and on my podcast that she was poorly with COVID-19.
“Aunty Jean passed away yesterday morning.
“Eldest of 3 sisters. Aunty Jean was in her 80s but had so much living to do.
“Aunty Jean never ever ever did anything but bring sunshine in to my life.
“She lived near my boarding school and would pop in as often as she could to make sure I had Quavers, Pot Noodles, Parma Ham, a bit of cash, knowing how far from home I was.
“Aunty Jean lived in and around sport all her life and was so kind to everyone she met.
“Kindness, generosity of spirit, a giver of time. It has knocked all of us in the family.
“My cousin Claire has lost her Mum who had so many more years to give.
“Aunty Jean never got to meet her newly born Great Granddaughter.
“We will all miss you Aunty Jean.
“Aunty Jean asked us not to cry with her final words.
“We love you so much.”
After sharing the statement on social media, his followers were quick to express their sadness for his loss.
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One wrote how his aunt Jean was “a beautiful lady all round”, while another expressed that their “thoughts and prayers are with the whole family”.
And another posted that the death makes the coronavirus crisis all “seem a bit more real”.
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