TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘fun loving’ woman who died weeks after recovering from pneumonia.

The mother of former Barnoldswick woman Heather Smith has spoken of her shock at the death of her only daughter.

Heather, 48, died at her friend’s home in Llandovery, South Wales, after returning from a five-week stay in hospital after being struck down with pneumonia.

She had been told by doctors that she needed a heart valve replacement three years ago and was expected to undergo surgery in the coming months.

Former West Craven High School pupil, Heather had grown up in Barnoldswick and worked at Silentnight Beds before moving Wales.

She had been involved in the strikes at the bed firm in 1985 where she made good friends with a number of Welsh miners who travelled Barnoldswick to support the cause.

She decided to move to Wales 10 years ago to be near her Welsh friends and got a job as a chef for a company laying gas pipelines.

Her mother, Mavis, said: “Heather was really fun loving, but she was also very strong and stubborn and would speak her mind.

“She loved her nephews and nieces dearly and was a fantastic auntie.

"She was also mad about horses. She had 17 of them down in Wales.

“Doctors had told Heather three years ago that she needed a heart valve replacement.

“It was a bit of a shock as she was quite healthy, apart from smoking.

“She was stubborn and refused to have it done for a while.

"The coroner said she was a ticking timebomb and that the pneumonia must have weakened her.

“She had just recovered from pneumonia and was at her friends when she just dropped down dead, it has been a great shock for us all.

“She was such a lively character and will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.”

Heather leaves her mother Mavis, father Gerry and brothers David, Peter and Andrew.

Her funeral will take place today and mourners are asked to contact Briggs and Duxbury Ltd for details.

Her family have asked any donations made in lieu of funeral flowers should go to the animal charity, HAPPA (Horse and Pony Protection Association).