TRIBUTES have been paid to a woman with a "heart of gold" who has died aged 27.

Gemma Evans, nee Cawood, died on October 4. Her husband, Adam, said Gemma had suffered from diabetes and had regular night time seizures.

“She was taken ill during the night the week before but seemed fine when I went to work the next morning,” he said. “She must have gone back to sleep and had another seizure as when I came home she was unconscious.”

Adam, 30, said: “Gemma was taken to hospital but never regained consciousness and died six days later.”

Born at Malton Hospital, Gemma first lived at Kirby Grindalythe and attended Norton College and then York College where she studied health and social care.

Gemma, who lived in Malton, worked at Rivermead care home in Norton where she was an activities co-ordinator.

Adam said he had met Gemma online in 2010 after moving to the area from Birmingham. The couple were engaged after two months and got married in 2012.

Adam said Gemma had been a great animal lover. “We had 18 pets altogether, including two dogs, four cats, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs, goldfish and a budgie,” he said.

“Gemma was also very close to her family, especially her mum who passed away in July.

“Since then she had been a great help and support to her dad.”

Adams said: “Gemma was always kind and helping others. She would do anything for anyone and has been taken far too young. I could not have asked for a better wife - she had a heart of gold.”

Gemma’s funeral service took place at the East Riding Crematorium, Octon, on Tuesday, October 16.