THE devastated family of a young York woman who died after a 26-year health battle have paid tribute to her bravery.

When Heidi Jackson was 15 months old, doctors told her mum, Brenda, that she would not live beyond her second birthday unless she underwent a lifesaving heart operation.

Heidi went on to lead a happy and healthy life, and was working at Malton Bacon Factory and planning to start a family with her fianc, Brendan, when her health worries worsened in January.

After more surgery to install a pacemaker, Heidi enjoyed a new lease of life for ten weeks. But tragically, her body could not cope.

"It was such a shock because she had seemed to bounce back from her illness," said Mrs Jackson, of Kingsway North, York.

"Heidi was such a bubbly girl, she was absolutely beautiful. She grabbed life with both hands and never let anything get in her way.

"She loved live music, spending loads of money and her holidays."

Mrs Jackson said Heidi's lifestyle had improved drastically since having the pacemaker.

"She was out of breath less often and she could walk a lot further.

"She had never been able to do the 'Micklegate Run' before, but she managed it with all her sisters just before she died and went into a pub to have a drink. She really enjoyed it and she looked lovely.

"My biggest consolation is that I signed that consent form when she was a baby and gave her 26 years of life."

A former pupil of Kingsway Junior School and Canon Lee School, Heidi had moved to Scarborough to be with Brendan, but regularly returned to York.

Her brother, Dale, 22, said Heidi never complained about anything. "She never used her illness. Her friends would forget she even had a heart problem," he said.

"The doctor told her she needed a lighter job because of her heart so she moved to the personnel department at Malton Bacon Factory, but it wasn't exciting enough for her, so she went back to the factory floor.

"She was a proper fighter."

Heidi also leaves sisters Susan, Heather and Lucie.

A funeral service will take place tomorrow at St Phillip's and St James's Church, in Clifton, at 11.30am.

Mrs Jackson has asked that bright colours should be worn.

Updated: 10:31 Wednesday, June 23, 2004