A MUCH-LOVED mother, sister and daughter has passed away unexpectedly at the age of 41.

Lucy Kershaw was born on November 28, 1970 in Ashford Hospital, Middlesex. She and her sister Jane spent their childhood in Staines; swimming, making camps and riding their bikes among their favourite pastimes.

Family holidays were spent at their grandparents’ caravan at Canvey Island with many trips to Devon.

Lucy trained as a hairdresser and worked in a salon in Staines until moving to Yateley, Hants, where she met her future husband who was in the Army.

After living in Germany Kirsty was born and Rebecca arrived later while the family were based in Cambridge. When the girls were young the family came to live in West Moors.

Lucy brought up the girls as a single mother and became well known in the village after working in the One Stop store, which later became Tesco Express. She was always smiling, causing mischief and making time for people.

Although finances were tight she never complained, working hard to provide for her family despite suffering extreme bouts of psoriasis.

Paying tribute to her sister, Jane said: “Lucy had a colourful personality with a wicked sense of humour, she was also very caring and nothing was too much trouble to her. She loved wearing her DMs, eating cheese, curries and roast dinners. A music-lover, Justin Timberlake was her pin-up.

“Her daughters are a credit to her; Rebecca is looking to go to university to study criminology (something Lucy would have loved to have done) while Kirsty works as a residential support worker at Portfield School.

“Lucy passed away unexpectedly after suffering a rare auto immune condition related to the drug treatment of psoriasis.

“The last few weeks saw her deteriorate, yet she showed extreme bravery and strength through much pain.”

Lucy died at Poole Hospital on November 21. Jane added: “The family wish to thank the support and care she received from the nurses and doctors who fought very hard to save her.

“We would also like to thank everyone for their generosity and support in West Moors and the wider community. The girls have had no end of support and our next priority will be to ensure they can stay in the village. We have been overwhelmed and touched by the numerous tributes. Lucy was clearly well loved and will be greatly missed.”

A celebration of Lucy’s life was held at Poole Crematorium on December 3.