Family members are devastated after the West Nile virus claimed the life of an Ortonville woman.
81 year-old Mary Ann Quisenberry died on Sept. 14, after dealing with symptoms of West Nile.
She’s the first person to die of the virus in Oakland County since 2003. Health officials warn elderly and people with compromised immune systems to take extra precautions.
Quisenberry’s family members tell 7 Action News she was in great health for her age and her death comes as a great shock.
"It's just something I never would have believed this happening,” Thomas Quisenberry, one Mary Ann’s seven sons and daughters said.
He describes his mother as the matriarch of a very large Irish Catholic family.
She walked two miles a day, she worked several days a week.
"She went to work the day that we took her to the hospital that night,” said Thomas.
She even beat cancer three years ago.
"When she came back from that, I don't even want to say it, but my mother, I actually though she'd probably outlive me. Because she was in very good health and very good spirits,” said Thomas.
Officials at the Oakland County Health Division said this is a very rare occurrence but they are warning others, mosquito season is not over yet.
