This is Plymouth --A POPULAR 46-year-old pharmacy worker died suddenly from a brain haemorrhage the morning after she had returned from a dream holiday with her husband-to-be.
Carly Axworthy had been on holiday with fiancé Lee Parker and his family on Spanish island, Minorca. The couple had enjoyed themselves so much that they were going to look into having their wedding on the island.
On the morning of Saturday June 8, the day after returning from holiday, postman Lee had to call an ambulance after Carly became suddenly unwell.
The mother of one was rushed to Derriford hospital. She went straight for surgery and was on the operating table for nine hours but doctors were unable to save her.
Lee's sister, Michelle Parker, said Carly's sudden passing had left her family and loved ones shell-shocked.
She said: "My brother is finding it really hard because they had come back from the best week's holiday.
"They had not even unpacked their bags. It is so sad.
"She was the most wonderful person.
"She thought very little of herself but loved to do things to make others happy. She was the most selfless person I have ever met. She made my brother so happy."
Carly – whose full name was Carlotta – and Lee, 44, were living together in Higher Compton after getting engaged in March. They lived with Carly's son Ben, aged 19, and Lee's children Olivia, 19, and Louis, 22.
The pair met as Lee was on his postal rounds in Mutley. Carly was a dispenser in the Boots pharmacy on Mutley Plain and won him over with her homemade patties, said Michelle. She said her brother is devastated to have been robbed of his future.
"He feels cheated of the rest of his life with her. They should have had so many more years," added Michelle.
"They were like teenagers together. I had never seen him so happy."
The photographer from Beacon Park said her heart goes out to Carly's son Ben.
"She and Ben had the best relationship. They were the best of friends. He is a teenager who has lost his mother. Her death is hard for anyone who knew her but I can't imagine how he feels.
"It has changed my perspective. I feel like tomorrow is not guaranteed for anybody. You have to make the most of every day."
Michelle had known Carly since she and her brother started dating 18 months ago. She said Carly, who previously worked in Boots on Salisbury Road in Lipson, would be remembered for her cheeky look.
She said: "She was always laughing and joking. People who met her will remember her cheeky smile."
Carly's funeral was held at Weston Mill on Friday, June 21. Her family had asked Lee and Michelle's brother Peter, a funeral director in Crownhill, to preside over the service.
Boots in Mutley brought in temporary staff for the day to allow her co-workers to attend.
Michelle's photography exhibition, on display from Monday in British Homes Stores on Cornwall Street, will be dedicated to Carly's memory. Reported by This is 3 hours ago.