The devastated family of a mum-of-three found dead say she 'didn't realise how much she was loved'.
Paula Wooley was found dead at her sister's home in Litherland on Wednesday.
Her family said she was battling mental health issues but described her as the "life and soul of the party."
They told how the 48-year-old raised three children single handedly at her home in Fazakerley after splitting up with her partner more than a decade ago.
She was also a grandmother of one.
Her daughter Robyn, 23, said her mum went into a spiral of decline around 12 months ago exacerbated by alcohol and a number of physical illnesses, including diabetes.
Robyn added: "Her mental health was in a really bad way and she was drinking heavily.
"Her priorities just went out of the window.
"It led to her shutting herself away from the family and running away from the family home a couple of months ago. We didn't know where she was.
"She just didn't feel loved and didn't realise how much she was loved."
Robyn said that before her illness, her mum was the "life and soul of the party."
She added: "She loved being social but the depression ate her away.
"She was a very brave lady. Depression is one of the biggest killers and we need to raise awareness of the terrible effects mental illness can have."
Samantha Pink, who set up a GoFundMe page to help the family pay for the funeral, said: "Paula died tragically after struggling with her mental health.
"She left very little behind other than her three loving and devastated children.
"My friend Robyn is struggling to arrange and fund her mum's funeral whilst still grieving.
"I'm asking those who can to help make a small donation to support Robyn and ease the financial burden of losing a loved one."
If you would like to donate, it can be found here.
