Nova Scotia mother of 8 on life support after sudden brain bleed

Single mom of eight on life support A single mother of eight children will soon be taken off life support, but her organs will be donated and save lives.

HALIFAX — The future of a Nova Scotia family is uncertain as a single mother of eight children remains on life support.

Stephanie Penney of Yarmouth, N.S., was transported by LifeFlight to the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax early Wednesday morning after suffering a sudden, severe brain bleed.

“There is nothing they can do,” her sister, Heidi McLeod, posted on a GoFundMe page.

McLeod created the page to help with funeral expenses and basic necessities for her sister’s eight children. More than $14,000 had been raised as of 1:30 p.m. Friday.

The 37-year-old was an employee at the Walmart in Yarmouth.

“Most have probably recently seen Steph at Walmart with a smile on her face, having a chat as she rings you through, even when she has had a lot on her plate at home,” said McLeod in the GoFundMe post.

Penney was a proud mother and, according to McLeod, always knew she would have a large family.

McLeod says her nieces and nephews are managing, but the situation is harder for the older children.

“The younger ones, I think, are still trying to grasp what’s going on and understand as much as they can. She was an amazing mom, so they are really tough kids,” McLeod told CTV News.

The children are staying with a family member in Yarmouth. The community has stepped up and has been bringing them meals, but McLeod says they are going to need a lot of help.

McLeod has four children of her own, including a newborn, and she lives a few hours away, just outside Halifax. She is also Penney’s only sibling.

Penney will remain on a ventilator until Saturday, when four of her organs will be donated.

“It was her wish, she really wanted to do that,” said McLeod. “Her kidneys are going to go to two people, her liver is going to someone, and they were able to give her heart, it’s going to go to a child out of province.”

McLeod says her sister would be so happy to be saving a child’s life.

“That’s probably the greatest thing that could come from such a tragic event,” says McLeod.

“It makes our hearts happy she is a donor, and knowing she is still helping others even in a terrible time.”