The family of a popular mum-of-two have paid tribute to her after she died in her sleep aged 33.
Much-loved Tara Mason died early on Tuesday following a battle with cancer.
The former care worker, from Ellesmere Port, had been diagnosed with the disease a year ago.
Speaking to the ECHO today, her sister Kellie Mason, 23, said: "She was strong and fought to the very end and we're all devastated she's gone."
Tara had tried to live a normal life after her challenging diagnosis and had carried on working.
Kellie said: "We never saw her cry about it, she just carried on. She was worried more about the kids, everyone just kept saying she was so strong."
Tara, mum to Tia, 13, and Kacey, 10, had first visited the doctor complaining of stomach pains.
After they struggled to diagnose her symptoms for six months, Tara was eventually told she had cancer in her lungs, bowel and liver.
Kellie said brave Tara kept a smile on her face even as her condition worsened.
She said: "She was a proper gossip. Even in the hospice she was accusing my dad of flirting with the nurses."
Kellie added: "I just keep remembering how she was before any of this and how happy and determined she was all the time.
"I love her so much and we're all really going to miss her."
Despite undergoing chemotherapy, Tara was told the cancer had spread to her ovaries and she had an operation to remove a 20cm-wide cyst.
In the last month, Kellie said, the family were told Tara was terminal and she was cared for in a hospice.
The family are raising funds so Tara's children can have a "nice life" and so Tara can be remembered by those who loved her.
Kellie has set up a gofundme page for the popular mum. She said: "It would go towards anything for their future and for her to have a good send off."
Writing on the page, Kellie said: "If you could donate anything at all I would be eternally grateful and would love to surprise my family with the money we need to give Tara the send off she deserves and the kids the closure they need."
The response so far from the page has seen many people commenting with memories for Tara, as well as donating.
