THE devastated family of Palmair stewardess Chloe Garlick have paid tribute to the girl who “lit up our lives”.

The bright and popular 21-year-old died in April when her car collided with a parked lorry on the A338 Spur Road as she was driving to work at Bournemouth Airport.

Chloe’s mum Martine Hallet, stepfather Ivor, brother Nicholas Garlick and boyfriend Maurice Sapsford this week presented a cheque to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance in her memory.

Martine said: “She touched so many people’s lives. Chloe was just one of those special people who you remember, even if you met her only once.

“We’ve had so many letters from people who remember Chloe from a brief meeting or recall her on flights they have been on. One passenger has planted a tree for her in Israel in her memory. A complete stranger. It’s amazing.

“The support we have had has been overwhelming. You do not expect 400 cars to turn up at her service.

“We just want to thank everyone for all their support, especially Palmair. Everyone has been quite incredible.”

Through donations at the service to celebrate Chloe’s life, the family collected £2,110 to give to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Speaking about life since that tragic day, Martine said: “We are missing her so much. It has been devastating. We haven’t coped really. Every day without her is a struggle.”

Ivor added: “I’ve had to stay strong for my family. But we’ve helped each other as a family. We manage to boost each other at different times.”

The family visit Chloe, a former Ringwood School student, every day at Ibsley churchyard and have photos of her all around their home in the New Forest, including her Palmair portrait in their hallway.

“I have to have photos of her everywhere. I need to see her. In that way she is with us all the time”, Martine added.

Chloe’s brother Nicholas, whom she used to call Nicks, said: “We’re just taking each day as it comes. You wake up and for a split second think everything is normal and then you realise. It’s like a nightmare in reverse.

“She may have been the younger one but I looked up to her. We were very close. It’s incredibly difficult.”

Maurice, who was going to propose to Chloe on holiday, said all of their friends had been very supportive.

Tributes to the youngster from colleagues, teachers and friends have described her as a beautiful, bubbly girl who adored her job, her family and her friends.

“This is the way we want her to be remembered. She was all those things and so much more.

“Intelligent, she loved walking the dog, going out, shopping. She was caring, always worried about people and loved her job so much. Whatever she put her mind to she excelled at”, said Martine.

She added: “It’s the little things that catch you unawares. The sense of loss is unimaginable. She was, to put it quite simply, wonderful.”