A MOTHER-of-three who died suddenly aged just 34 lived for her children and to serve the community, her devastated husband has said.

Annie Davidson

A MOTHER-of-three who died suddenly aged just 34 lived for her children and to serve the community, her devastated husband said last night.

Claire Hawksbee died unexpectedly at her home in Wick Road, Langham, and the tragedy has left the local community shell-shocked.

Mrs Hawksbee, mother of Phillip, nine, Tommy, five, and three-year-old Rosie, threw herself into village life after the family moved to Langham from Romford four years ago.

She was the leader of Friends of Langham School in 2006, ran the village fete last year and was also organising this year's, was on the village's community council and helped with the pre-school and the community shop.

Mrs Hawksbee was also one of the Langham speed watch team - when residents operate speed cameras within their communities - and was training to be an assistant leader with 2nd Langham Scouts.

Her husband Kevin said yesterday that his wife's sudden death on May 13 still had not really sunk in.

“I am still in shock, it is hard to describe,” he said.

“When it is sudden nothing can prepare you for it. There is just an emptiness. We are getting by. A lot of people in the village are showing their support.

“In the four years she made such an influence in the village - everyone knew Claire. When the post office was going to close she was the one who started a petition to save it.”

He added: “The children are bearing up. I don't think Tommy and Rosie properly understand but Phillip does and he has been my little rock and we are keeping each other going.

“When Rosie sees Claire's picture, she says 'mummy' and knows it is her but doesn't really realise what has happened.”

Mr Hawksbee, 36, a self-employed railway signalling engineer, described his wife as “fun loving and strong” and said she loved talking to people.

“She didn't beat around the bush and if she didn't like you she would tell you she didn't like you,” he said.

“She was very helpful and very organised - her mum said she was a born organiser and a doer. She will be very sadly missed.”

Mr Hawksbee thanked everyone from the village who had shown their support and for the women who arranged the catering at the wake, which was held at the village community centre on Friday.

Donations in memory of Mrs Hawksbee can be made to Friends of Langham School.