SHE was fun and feisty with a wicked sense of humour.

A very hardworking, single mum, devoted to her two children, she would do anything for anyone.

That was Heather Barnett.

‘Bunny’ as she was known to her friends and family, was born on August 29, 1954 in Sturminster Newton, where her parents ran the ironmongers shop.

The story goes that her father, Denis, a wartime Royal Air Force squadron leader, one day unexpectedly shaved off his huge handlebar moustache and the shock sent his wife into labour. And Heather arrived.

Heather was musical and sang in the local church choir and the school choir and was well known for her solos.

She took part with her parents and older sister Denise and brothers Jeremy and Ben in the local pantomime. Their mum Janet was principal boy several times.

Heather loved animals and after leaving school spent a time working in a veterinary surgery and then in the south of France as an au pair.

She was bitten by the travel bug and loved exploring new places.

It was always her ambition to go to New York.

When she came back from France she worked at Knoll House, starting as a waitress and then heading up the team there.

She also worked in a jeweller’s shop in Bournemouth and then decided to retrain as a seamstress, something at which she excelled.

Such was her reputation she never had to advertise.

She was “thrilled to bits” when her two children came along, first Terry and then Caitlin.

She was a very proud mum and was always determined to ensure the children didn’t miss out, so she worked late at home every night.

“She had a very open way about her,” said Denise.

“She was friendly and could talk to anyone and she absolutely loved life. Heather was simply a very wonderful person.”