HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a Wrexham mother-of-three who died in her sleep.
Kim Garner, 47, was found dead at her home in Ridley View, Hightown, on the morning of January 2.
The former café worker is survived by sons Chad, 24, Ben, 22, and Todd, 17, and stepdaughters Stephanie, 33, and Kelly, 28.
Chad told the Leader: “Mum was our rock, our guardian angel.
“She always gave us the best of the best, she lived for her lads.
“She was a lovely, caring and loyal mum. This has come as a huge shock for all of us.
“I’m still numb at the moment.”
Miss Garner, who grew up in Blacon, near Chester, worked for more than 15 years at Priory Street Café in Wrexham town centre.
Later she worked from home doing odd-jobs, such as ironing for friends.
Chad said: “She loved going out for a drink with her friends, Belinda Ellis, Kerry Cole, Marilyn and Little Donna.
“Years ago they would play bingo or go to Scott’s nightclub, but these days she loved nothing more than watching television in her pyjamas.
“She would always have a magazine in her hand, and took great pride in her house.
“She loved holidays to Tenerife and Turkey, and would have a year-round tan.
“I remember as a kid I would ask for money and she would always say, ‘Get my purse and don’t tell your dad’.”
Her sons have arranged for their mum to have a white coffin with gold handles for her funeral.
James Arthur’s Impossible will play as the family enter the church and Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You will play as mourners leave.
He said: “The white coffin is mum all over, she would have loved that.
“She was a big fan of X Factor so we thought the winner’s single was a fitting tribute.”
The funeral will be held on Friday at St Giles’ Parish Church at 12pm, followed by a burial at Wrexham Cemetery.
Afterwards mourners are invited to gather at Wrexham War Memorial Club. Donations will be made to the RSPCA.