A primary school teacher died after drinking to combat her stress and anxiety before smashing into a tree during school rush hour.
Annie Holman-Lisney was not wearing a seatbelt when she lost control of her blue Toyota Yaris while trying to overtake a taxi in July.
She had been heading to school after a morning where "everything...was completely out of character."
The 63-year-old was found to be three times over the drink drive limit and may have been drinking alcohol the night before to help her sleep.
An inquest at Winchester Coroner's Court heard how she had a history of stress and anxiety-related issues, which had led to her erratic behaviour.
Her "heartbroken" daughter, Lily Holman-Brant, told the hearing: "Everything about that morning was completely out of character.
"She was a lovely mum and friend to many. She was really respected in work, she sparkled and had such warmth and kindness and gave so much to people.
"But she wasn't herself and I'd been very worried about her mental health. Mum had been up late quite a few nights and told me she hadn't been sleeping well - she must've been drinking late into the night to help her sleep.
"She used to drive me to school and college along that road and would always wear a seatbelt.
"Mum would be so sorry about what happened."
The accident took place as Ms Holman-Lisney drove southbound down the dual carriageway A33 in Hampshire at 7.40 am on July 17 this year.
As she attempted to overtake a taxi, she drifted off the dual carriageway - which leads from her home in Dummer, near Basingstoke, Hants, to her primary school Twyford St Mary's in Winchester.
Her car collided with a tree and she was pronounced dead at the scene, near to Micheldever Woods, Hants.
Taxi driver Derek Holden said: "The car overtook and then lost control.
"It got worse and worse before it drifted into the trees on the side of the road.
"I pulled over up the road and went to another man who had stopped."
After the inquest, Ms Holman-Brant paid tribute to her mum.
She said: "We are heartbroken that her life ended in this tragic way.
"We will always remember how she opened our eyes to the world, taught us to appreciate the precious nature of life, and made us laugh until we cried.
"We are grateful to the people who tried to help Annie after the crash, and our hearts go out to all the witnesses."
In a newsletter, Twyford St Mary's primary school said: "Nobody can quite prepare you for the loss of a colleague and a friend, and harder still when the work, care and support for the children continues despite the personal feelings of sorrow and disbelief we each feel."
Senior coroner Christopher Wilkinson concluded the death was the result of a road traffic collision.
