A FAMILY has paid tribute to a ‘caring and fun-loving person’ who died suddenly at the age of 47.

Lesley Jones suddenly died at home on November 2 after feeling unwell, leaving behind her two children Jessica, 18 and Josh, 27.

The family said: “Lesley was a caring, fun loving person who enjoyed a laugh and what she loved most was her family and having them around. We were always there for each other.

“She was also very house proud, and she was often spraying air freshener about to keep everywhere smelling nice.

“Lesley was very protective of all her family, as she had always been since being the big sister.

“She loved her family and they were everything to her. We have many funny memories of being together and the character that Lesley was.”

Lesley went to school in Llanarmon, then Bryn Hyfryd in Ruthin.

Tennis became ‘the very favourite game’ for the mum-of-two and watching Wimbledon for two weeks every year became her ‘great passion’ as ‘everything was on hold’.

After school Lesley did some work experience at Kerfoot Owen, the solicitors in Ruthin and later enjoyed working in retail.

She worked in the village shop in Treuddyn, then became a teaching assistant in the school there and so knew a lot of the local people.

After daughter Jess came along, Lesley looked after her and became very involved in the charity supporting children with diabetes following her daughter’s type one diabetes diagnoses.

Cllr Carolyn Thomas said she has set up a fundraising page to help Lesley’s children, who live in a housing association property in Treuddyn.

She said: “I was concerned about them after hearing the news, it is devastating for them to lose their mother but I am also worried about them losing their home and having no money for food or electricity to keep warm, or transport to get to appointments as neither drive.

“Josh asked me to write a letter of support to the housing association, confirming how long they have lived there, so they could stay in the rented accommodation, the tenancy is in their mother’s name.

“Jess has type one diabetes and other related health conditions including asthma, she has had diabetes from a young age but has managed it really well with her mum’s support.

“I remember Lesley telling me about Jess having an insulin pump and pouch when she was at primary school and how it really helped.

“Lesley was collecting stamps at the time for a diabetes charity and asked me to help promote it.”

Cllr Thomas said she wanted to show her support to the family after finding out they were struggling.

She added: “I met with Jess, her grandmother and Auntie to try to work out a future for them.

“It is complicated as they cannot apply for Universal Credit until they have a tenancy and they cannot have a tenancy unless they have an income.

“It may have to go in Jess’s name as she has been there all her life, unlike her brother who moved out for a while until recently but she has been told she may have to give up her education and get a job.

“Jess said she has been amazed at the donations and kind words via the JustGiving Crowdfunding page, everyone has been so kind, it has helped lift her at this sad time, she is a lovely young woman.”

Anyone wishing to donate can do so online at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/carolynthomas